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ROZIER'S HISTORY 



OF THB 



EARLY SETTLEMENT 



OF THE 



MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 



BY FIRM IN A. ROZIEB. 




ST. LOUIS, 

G. A. PIERROT & SON, PRINTERS. 
1890. 



COPYHIGHTED BY 

GEN. FIRMIN A. ROZIER 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



F ^ 



PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 



Biography of Firmin A. Rozier. 



Senator Firmin A. Rozier was born in the town of 
Ste. Genevieve, July 31st, 1820, the year and the month 
in which the State governmennt was organized. He is 
of French parentage, and is an honorable relic of the 
old French population of Missouri. His father was in 
the French navy, and came to America with Audubon, 
the famous naturalist, settling first in Philadelphia and 
afterwards in Kentucky, whence he removed to Ste. 
Genevieve at an early day. Between 181 1 and 1820 
his father was engaged in merchandizing at Ste. Gene- 
vieve, and made six trips to Philadelphia on horseback. 
At the present day a single trip of that kind and length 
is considered sufficient to immortalize a man. 

He was educated at St. Mary's College, Perry county, 
Missouri, then the oldest and leading college in the 
State, but long since removed to Cape Girardeau. At 
that time Louisiana and other Southern States sent 
large delegations of students to St. Mary's. At the age 
of 17 young Rozier left school and became clerk on the 
steamer " Vandalia," Capt. Small commanding, plying 
between St. Louis and New Orleans. After a time he 
abandoned steamboating and returned to school. In 
1 841 he engaged in commercial business in St. Louis, 
and felt the pressure of the great financial crisis. He 
then entered the law office of Bogy & Hunton. Thence 
he went to Bardstown, Kentucky, to complete his clas- 



sical course, and from there to the Transylvania Law 
School, at Lexington, Kentucky, where he graduated in 
1848, when such men as Chief Justice Robertson, Judge 
Marshall and Judge Wooley were professors. Two 
years previous to this, however, he had conceived a 
love for " the pomp and circumstances of glorious war," 
and through the influence of Thomas H. Benton, had 
been appointed captain of the South Missouri Guards, 
a compan)' numbering 115 picked men. With his 
company he started to join Fremont's expedition to 
California, and proceeded as far as Fort Leavenworth, 
where the severity of the winter detained them and pre- 
vented their venturing upon the plains, and they were 
eventually mustered out. Subsequently Capt. Rozier 
was appointed Major General of the militia of South- 
east Missouri, and served for four years. He is there- 
fore entitled justly entitled to the title of General, by 
which he is best known. This closes his military 
career. 

In 1850 Senator Rozier was a candidate for Congress, 
his opponents being John F. Darby and Judge Bowlin, 
who was then Representative. Although he went out 
of St. Louis with a handsome majority, he was beaten 
by Darby by a few votes in the district. At that time 
he represented the Benton side of the political issues of 
the day. In 185 1 he was elected Mayor of Ste. Gene- 
vieve, when that city virtually controlled the mineral 
trade of Southeast Missouri. In 1854 he established 
at his native town an academy for the education of 
boys, in which he took a great interest for many years. 
In 1856 he was elected a member of the Legislature and 
served ably for two years. In 1858 he was elect-d Pre- 
sident of the branch bank of the Merchants' Bank of 
St. Louis, located at Ste. Genevieve. In 1872 he was 



- 7- 

elected State Senator, without opposition, and has since 
been chairman of the Committee on Minjs and Mining, 
a position for which he is admirably qualified by rea- 
son of his extensive mining operations in St. Francois, 
Jefferson, and other counties in Southeast Missouri. By 
his activity and influence he obtained a large amount 
from the Missouri Legislature, for the prosecution of 
the State geological survey. 

To go back a little, in 1845 Senator Rozier was a 
delegate to the Southwest Convention, at Memphis, of 
which John C. Calhoun was president, and made a re- 
port, accompanied by a topographical map of the sub- 
merged lands of South Missouri, which was approved 
by the Convention and attracted much attention. 

Senator Rozier as An Orator. 

Just before a vote was taken in the Senate on the 
transfer of the effects of the State Geological Board to 
the Rolla School ot Mines, Senator Rozier took occa- 
sion to make one of the most practical, sensible, and in- 
teresting speeches of his life. He is a man to begin with 
who at all times and under all circumstances is a hatc^r 
of shams and humbugs. The economy that saves at 
the spigot and loses at the bung-hole gets neither soft 
nor complimentary words from his vocabulary. He is 
rigidly honest in everything and as a consequence he is 
rigidly just. His speech was against the destruction of 
the Geological Board and it was a master-piece of logic 
and informati(Mi. He told what geology had done for 
Missouri; he pictured the desolate, uncultivated and 
unsaleable lands until it revealed to the world the secret 
of the precious metals hid beneath their soil; he traced 
step by step the entire progress of mineral development 



- 8 - 

from the first rude drift to the immense foundries and 
rolHng-mills, smelting-works and blast furnaces now 
thick at Carondelet and increasing annually ; he gave 
by decades, beginning with 1850, the increase in tax- 
able wealth, in population, in public improvements of aU 
kinds, and he made such an application of his facts and 
figures that if the Senators who heard the speech had 
been but half as liberal as the people who are interested 
and who pay two-thirds of the entire taxes of the State, 
they would have increased the usefulness and working 
facilities of the Geological Board, instead of destroying 
both and absolutely. However, a better, a truer, a 
more eloquent, and a more praiseworthy fight against 
large odds no man ever made than Firmin A. Rozier. 
The position he took, too, was eminently characteristic 
of the man, being lofty, unassailable, and full of a thor- 
ough knowledge of the subject, and any amount of 
Missouri common-sense. 

Senator Rozier always had an historical taste, and 
his intercourse with the pioneers of the country, has 
given him good opportunities to study their habits 
and history, while this work which he presents to the 
public is founded on the records of our courts, and the 
early writers of the history of the early settlement of 
the Great West. 



- 9 - 



PART I 



THE FRENCH DOMINION IN NORTH 

AMERICA. — HOW ACQUIRED 

AND LOST. 

My purpose is to speak of the glorious deeds 
of the noble sons of France in North America, 
in their explorations of the basin of the St. Law- 
rence River, the great western lakes, and the 
occupancy of the valley of the magnificent Father 
of Waters. As early as 1504 the French sea- 
men from Brittany and Normandy visited the fish- 
eries of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. These 
bold and daring men traversed the ocean, through 
the dangers of ice and storms, to pursue the oc- 
cupation of fishery, an enterprise which to-day 
has developed into one of gigantic magnitude. 

France not long after this commissioned James 
Cartier, a distinguished mariner, to explore Amer- 
ica. In 1535, in pursuance of his orders, he 
planted the "Lilies of France" on the shores ot 
the New World, on the banks of the St. Law- 
rence. He was followed by other adventurous 
spirits, and among them the immortal Samuel 
Champlain, a man of great enterprise, who found- 
ed Quebec in 1608. Champlain ascended the 



- lO - 

Sorel ; explored Champlain Lake, which bears his 
name to-day. He afterwards penetrated the for- 
ests, and found his grave on the bleak shores of 
Lake Huron. 

He was unsurpassed for bravery, indefatigable 
in industry, and was one of the leading spirits in 
explorations and discoveries in the New World. 

In the van of explorations on this continent 
were found the courageous and pious Catholic 
missionaries, meeting dangers and death with a 
crucifix upon their breasts, breviary in hand, whilst 
chanting their matins and vespers, along the shores 
of our majestic rivers, great lakes and unbroken 
forests. Their course was marked through the 
trackless wilderness by the carving of their em- 
blems of faith upon the roadway, amidst perils 
and dangers, without food but pounded maize, 
sleeping in the woods without shelter, their couch 
being the ground and rock. Their beacon light, 
the cross, which was marked upon the oak of the 
forest in their pathway. 

After these missionaries had selected their sta- 
tions of worship, the French hunters, "coureurs 
des bois," voyagers and traders, opened their 
traffic with the savages. France, when conve- 
nient and expedient, erected a chain of forts 
along the rivers and lakes, in defense of Christi- 
anity and commerce. 



li 



French Missionaries. 

France, from 1608, acquired on this continent 
a territory extensive enough to create a great 
empire. It was at that time untrod by the foot 
of the white man, and inhabited by roving tribes 
of the red man. As early as 161 5, we find Father 
Le Carron, a Cathohc priest, in the forests of 
Canada, exploring the country for the purpose of 
convertingf the savag-es to the Christian religion. 
The following year he is seen on foot traversing 
the forests among the Mohawks, and reaching 
the rivers of the Otteways. He was followed by 
other missionaries along the basin of the St. Law- 
rence and Kennebeck rivers, where some men 
met their fate in frail barks, whilst others perished 
in the storms of the dreadful wilderness. 

In 1635 we find Father Jean Brebeuf, Dan- 
iels and Gabriel Lallemand leaving Quebec with 
a few Huron braves to explore Lake Huron, to 
establish chapels along its banks, from which 
sprang the villages of St. Joseph, St. Ignatius, 
and St. Louis. To reach these places it was 
necessary to follow the Ottawa river through a 
dangerous and devious way to avoid the Mohawks, 
Oneidas, Cayugas, Senecas and Iroquois, forming 
a confederacy as the "Five Nations," occupying a 
territory then known as the New York colony, 
who were continually at war with the Hurons, a 
tribe of Indians inhabiting Lake Huron territory. 



12 



Sisters of Charity. 

As early as 1639 three Sisters of Charity from 
France arrived at Quebec, dressed in plain black 
gowns with snowy white collars, whilst to their 
girdle hung the rosary. They proceeded to the 
chapel, led by the Governor of Canada, accompa- 
nied by braves and warriors, to chant the Te 
Deum. These holy and pious women, moved by 
religious zeal, immediately established the Ursu- 
line convent for the education of girls. In addi- 
tion to this the king of France and nobility of 
Paris endowed a seminary in Quebec for the 
education of all classes of persons. A public 
hospital was built by the generous duchess of 
D'Aiguillon, with the aid of Cardinal Richelieu, 
for the unfortunate emigrants, for the savages of 
all tribes, and afflicted of all classes. A mission- 
ary station was established as early as 1641, at 
Montreal, under a rude tent, from which has 
grown the large city of to-day, with its magnifi- 
cent cathedral and churches, its massive business 
houses, and its commerce. 

Festival of the Dead. 

The tribes of Huron Lake and neighboring 
savages, in 1641, met on the banks of the Iro- 
quois Bay to celebrate the "Festival of the Dead." 
The bones and ashes of the dead had been gath- 





Indians watching the Approach of Cartier's Fleet. 



- 13- 

ered in coffins of bark, whilst wrapped in mag- 
nificent furs, to be given an affectionate sepulchre. 
At this singular festival of the savages the chiefs 
and braves of different tribes chanted their low, 
mournful songs, day and night, amidst the wails 
and qroans of their women and children. Durine 
this festival appeared the pious missionaries, in 
cassocks, with beads to their girdle, sympathizing 
with the red men in their devotion to the dead, 
whilst scattering their medals, pictures of our 
Savior and blessed and beautiful beads, which 
touched and won the hearts of the sons of the 
forest. What a beautiful spectacle to behold, 
over the grave of the fierce warriors, idolatry 
fading before the Son of God. Father Charles 
Raymbault and the indomitable Isaac Joques in 
1 64 1 left Canada to explore the country as far as 
Lake Superior. They reached the Falls of St. 
Mary's and established a station at Sault-Ste.- 
Marie, where were assembled many warriors and 
braves from the great West, to see and hear these 
two apostles of religion and to behold the cross 
of Christianity. These two missionaries invoked 
them to worship the true God. The savages 
were struck with the emblem of the cross and its 
teachings, and exclaimed, "We embrace you as 
brothers ; come and dwell in our cabins." 

When Father Joques and his party were re- 
turning from the Falls of St. Mary's to Quebec 
they were attacked by the Mohawks, who massa- 
cred the chief and his braves, who accompanied 



- H ' 

him, whilst they held Father Joques in captivity, 
showering upon him a great many indignities, 
compelling him to run the gaundet through their 
village. Father Brussini at the same time was 
beaten, mutilated, and made to walk barefooted 
through thorns and briars and then scourged by 
a whole village. However, by some miraculous 
way the)' were rescued by the generous Dutch of 
New York, and both afterwards returned to 
France. Father Joques again returned to Que- 
bec, and was sent as an envoy amongst the "Five 
Nations." Contrary to the savage laws of hos- 
pitality, he was ill-treated, and then killed as an 
enchanter, his head hung upon the skirts of the 
village and his body thrown into the Mohawk 
river. Such was the fate of this courageous and 
pious man, leaving a monument of martyrdom 
more enduring than the pyramids of Egypt. 

A Memorable Convention. 

The year 1645 is memorable, owing to a con- 
gress held by France and the "Five Nations," 
at the Three Rivers, in Canada. There the 
daring chiefs and warriors and the gallant officers 
of France met at the great council-fires. After 
the war-dance and numerous ceremonies the hos- 
tile parties smoked the calumet of peace. The 
Iroquois said : "Let the clouds be dispersed and 
the sun shine on all the land between us." The 
Mohawks exclaimed : "We have thrown the 



- 15 • 

hatchet so high into the air and beyond the earth 
that no man on earth can reach to bring- it down. 
The French shall sleep on our softest blankets, 
by the warm fire that shall be kept blazing all 
night." Notwithstanding the eloquent and fer- 
vent language and appearance of peace, it was of 
but short duration, for soon the cabin of the white 
man was in flames, and the foot-print of blood 
was seen alone the St. Lawrence, and once more 
a bloody war broke out, which was disastrous to 
France, as the Five Nations returned to the alle- 
giance of the English colonies. 

The village of St. Joseph, near Huron Lake, 
on the 4th of July, 1648, whilst her warriors were 
absent, was sacked and its people murdered by 
the Mohawks. Father Daniel, who officiated 
there, whilst endeavoring to protect the children, 
women and old men, was fatally wounded by 
numerous arrows and killed. Thus fell this mar- 
tyr in the cause of religion and progress. 

The next year the villages of St. Ignatius and 
St Louis were attacked by the Iroquois. The 
village of St. Ignatius was destroyed and its in- 
habitants massacred. The village of St. Louis 
shared the same fate. At the latter place Fathers 
Brebeuf and Lallemand were made prisoners, 
tied to a tree, stripped of their clothes, mutil- 
ated, burnt with fagots and rosin bark and then 
scalped. They perished in the name of France 
and Christianity. 

Father de la Ribourde, who had been the com- 



- i6- 

panlon of La Salle on the Griffin and who offi- 
ciated at Fort Creve-Coeur, 111., whilst returning 
to Lake Michigan, was lost in the wilderness. 
Afterwards it was learned he had been mur- 
dered in cold blood by three young warriors, who 
carried his prayer-book and scalp as a trophy up 
north of Lake Superior, which afterwards fell into 
the hands of the missionaries. Thus died this 
martyr of religion, whose head had become 
bleached with seventy winters, after ten years' 
devotion in the cabins of the savages. Such was 
also the fate of the pious Father Rine Mesnard, 
on his mission to the southern shore of Lake Su- 
perior, where in after years his cassock and bre- 
viary were kept as amulets among the Sioux. 

Despite these atrocities, the noble missionaries 
never retraced their steps, and new troops pressed 
forward to take their places. They still con • 
tinued to explore our vast country. The history 
of their labors, self-sacrifice and devotion is con- 
nected with the origin of every village or noted 
place in the North and great West. 

France ordered by Colbert, its great minister, 
that an invitation be given to all tribes west for a 
general congress. This remarkable council was 
held in May, 1671, at the Falls of St. Mary's. 
There were found the chiefs and braves of many 
nations of the West, decorated in their brightest 
feathers and furs, while the French officers glis- 
tened with their swords and golden epaulets. In 
their midst stood the undaunted missionaries from 



- 17- 

all parts of the country. In this remarkable con- 
gress rose a long cedar cross, and upon a staff 
the colors of France. 

In this council, after many congratulations 
offered, and the war dances, the calumet was 
smoked and peace declared. France secured 
here the friendship of the tribes and dominion over 
the orreat West. 



t> 



Marquette and Joliet. 

Marquette, while on his mission in the West, 
leaves Mackinac on the 13th of May, 1673, with 
his companion Joliet and five Frenchmen and two 
Indian guides, in two bark canoes freighted with 
maize and smoked meat to enter into Lake Mich- 
igan and Green Bay until they reached Fox river 
in Illinois, where stood on its banks an Indian vil- 
lage occupied by the Kickapoos, Mascontins and 
Miamis, where the noble Father Allonez offi- 
ciated. Marquette in this village preaches and 
announces to them his object of discovering the 
great river. They are appalled at the bold pro- 
position. They say : " Those distant nations 
never spare the strangers ; their mutual wars fill 
their borders with bands of warriors. The great 
river abounds in monsters which devour both 
men and canoes. The excessive heat occasions 
death." 

From Fox river across the portage with the 
canoes they reach the Wisconsin river. There 



- i; 



Marquette and Joliet separated with their guides, 
and, in Marquette's language : " Leaving us 
alone in this unknown land in the hands of Prov- 
idence," they float down the Wisconsin whose 
banks are dotted with prairies and beautiful hills, 
whilst surrounded by wild animals and the buffa- 
lo. After seven days' navigation on this river, 
their hearts bound with gladness on beholding on 
the 17th day of June, 1673, the broad expanse of 
the great Father of the Waters, and upon its bo- 
som they float down. About 60 leagues below 
this they visit an Indian village. Their recep- 
tion from the savages was cordial. They said : 
" We are Illinois, that is, we are men. The 
whole village awaits thee ; thou shall enter in 
peace our cabins." After six days' rest on the 
couch of furs, and amidst abundance of game, 
these hospitable Illinois conduct them to their 
canoes, whilst the chief places around Mar- 
quette's neck the calumet of peace, being beauti- 
fully decorated with the feathers of birds. 

Their canoe again ripples the bosom of the 
great river (Mississippi), when further down they 
behold on the high bluffs and smooth rock above 
(now Alton), on the Illinois shore, the figures of 
two monsters painted in various colors, of fright- 
ful appearance, and the position appeared to be 
inaccessible to a painter. They soon reached 
the turbid waters of the Missouri, and thence 
floated down to th(; mouth of the Ohio. 

Farther down the river stands the villae"e of 



- 19 - 

Mitchlgamea, being on the west side of the river. 
When approaching this place its bloody warriors, 
with their war cry, embark in their canoes to 
attack them, but the calumet, held aloft by Mar- 
quette, pacifies them. So they are treated with 
hospitality, and escorted by them to the Arkansas 
river. They sojourn there a short time, when 
Marquette, before leaving this sunny land, cele- 
brates the festival of the church. Marquette and 
Joliet then turn their canoe northward to retrace 
their way back until they reach the Illinois river, 
thence up that stream, along its flowery prairies. 
The Illinois braves conduct them back to Lake 
Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where they ar- 
rived in September, 1673. 

Marquette for two years officiated along Lake 
Michiofan ; afterw-ards visited Mackinaw ; from 
thence he enters a small river in Michigan (that 
bears his name), when, after saying mass, he 
WMthdraws for a short time to the woods, where 
he is found dead. Thus died this illustrious ex- 
plorer and remarkable priest, leaving a name 
unparalleled as a brave, good and virtuous 
Christian. 

LaSalle and Hennepin. 

Robert Cavalier La Salle, a native of Norman- 
dy, an adventurer from France, arrived in Can- 
ada about 1670. Being ambitious to distinguish 
himself in making discoveries on this continent he 



- 20 - 

returned to France to solicit aid for that pur- 
pose. He was made chevalier upon the condi- 
tion that he would repair Fort Frontenac, located 
on Lake Ontario, and open commerce with the 
savages. In 1677 he again returned to France, 
when in July, 1678, he, with Chevalier Tonti his 
lieutenant, and 30 men, left La Rochelle for Que- 
bec and Fort Frontenac. Whilst at Quebec an 
agreement was made by the governor of Canada 
with La Salle to establish forts along the northern 
lakes. At this time, he undertook with great ac- 
tivity to increase the commerce of the West, by 
buildinor a bark of ten tons to float on Lake 
Ontario. 

Shortly afterwards, he built another vessel, 
known as the Griffin, above Niagara Falls, for 
Lake Erie, of sixty tons, being the first vessel 
seen on the northern lakes. The Griffin was 
launched and made to float on Lake Erie. " On 
the prow of this ship armorial bearings were ad- 
orned by two griffins as supporters" ; upon her 
deck she carried two brass cannons for defense. 
On the 7th of August, 1679, she spread her sails 
on Lake Erie, whilst on her deck stood the brave 
naval commander La Salle, accompanied by Fa- 
thers Henepin, Ribourde and Zenoby, surrounded 
by a crew of thirty voyageurs. On leaving a 
salute was fired, whose echoes were heard, to the 
astonishment of the savages, who named the(jrif- 
fin " the great wooden canoe." This shij) pur- 
sued her course through Lakes Erie, St. Clair and 



- 21 - 

Huron to Mackinaw, thence throug-h that strait 
into Lake Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where 
she anchored in safety. 

The Griffin, after being laden with a cargo of 
peltries and furs, was ordered back by La Salle 
to the port from whence she sailed, but unfortu- 
nately on her return she was wrecked. La Salle 
during the absence of the Griffin determined with 
fourteen men to proceed to the mouth ol the Mia- 
mies, now St. Joseph, where he built a fort, from 
which place he proceeded to Rock Fort in La 
Salle county, Illinois. La Salle hearing of the 
ciisaster and wreck of the Griffin, built a fort 
on the Illinois river and called it Creve-Coeur 
(broken heart). 

This brave man, though weighed down by 
misfortune, did not despair. He concluded to 
return to Canada, but before leaving, sends Father 
Hennepin, with Piscard, Du Guay and Michael 
Aka, to explore the sources of the Upper Mis- 
sissippi. 

They leave Creve-Coeur February 29, 1680, 
floating down the Illinois river, reaching the Mis- 
sissippi March 8, 1680 ; then explored that river 
up to the Falls of St. Anthony ; from there they 
penetrated the forests, which brought them to the 
wigwams of the Sioux, who detained Father 
Hennepin and companions for some time in cap- 
tivity. Recovering their liberty, they returned 
to Lake Superior in November, 1680, thence to 
Quebec and France. 



- 22 - 

During the explorations '^of Father Hennepin, 
La Salle, with a, courage unsurpassed, a constitu 
tion of iron, returns to Canada, a distance of 1200 
miles, his pathway being through snow, ice and 
savages along Lakes Michigan, Erie anci Ont- 
ario. Reaching Quebec, he finds his business in 
a disastrous condition, his vessels lost, his goods 
seized and his men scattered. Not being dis- 
couraged, however, he returns to his forts in Illi- 
nois, which he finds deserted ; takes new cour- 
age ; goes to Mackinaw ; finds his devoted friend 
Chevalier Tonti in 1681, and is found once more 
on the Illinois river to continue the explorations 
of the Mississippi, which had been explored by 
Father Marquette to the Arkansas river, and by 
Father Hennepin up to the Falls of St. Anthony. 

La Salle, from Fort Creve-Cctur, on the Illinois 
river, with twenty-two Frenchmen, among whom 
were Father Zenobi and Chevalier Tonti with 
eighteen savages and two women and three chil- 
dren, float down until they reach the Missis- 
sippi on February 6, 1682. They descend this 
mighty river until they reach its mouth, April 6, 
1682, where they are the first to plant the cross 
and the banners of France. La Salle, with his 
companions, ascends the Mississippi and returns 
to his forts on the Illinois ; returns again to Can- 
ada, and France. 

La Salle is received at the French court with 
enthusiasm. The king of France orders four 
vessels well equipped to serve him, under Beau- 



geau, commander of the fleet, to proceed to the 
Gulf of Mexico to discover the . Bahze. Unfor- 
tunately for La Salle he fails in discovering it, 
and they are thrown into the Bay of Matagorda, 
Texas, where La Salle, with his 280 persons, is 
abandoned by the commander of the fleet. La 
Salle here builds a fort ; then undertakes by land 
to discover the Balize. After many hardships he 
returns to his fort, and again attempts the same 
object, when he meets a tragical end, being mur- 
dered by the desperate Duhault, one of his men. 
During the voyage of La Salle, Chevalier Tonti, 
his friend, had gone down the Mississippi to its 
mouth to meet him. After a long search in vain 
for the fleet, he returned to Rock Fort on the 
Illinois. 

After the unfortunate death of La Salle, great 
disorder and misfortune occurred to his men in 
Texas. Some wandered amongst the savages, 
others were taken priso^iers, others perished in 
the woods. However, seven bold and brave men 
of La Salle's force determined to return to Illinois, 
headed by Capt. Joutel and the noble Father 
Anastase. After six months' exploration through 
the forest and plain they cross the Red river, 
where they lose one of their comrades. They 
then moved towards the Arkansas river, where 
to their great joy, they reached a French fort, 
upon which stood a large cross, where Couture 
and Delaunay, two Frenchmen, had possession 
to hold communication with La Salle. This 



- 24 - 

brave band, with the exception of young Barthel- 
emi, proceeded up the Mississippi to the IlHnois 
forts ; from thence to Canada. 

This terminated La Salle's wonderful explora- 
tions over our vast lakes, grreat rivers and terri- 
tory, of Texas. He was a man of stern integrity, 
of undoubted activity and boldness of character, 
of an iron constitution, entertaining broad views, 
and a chivalry unsurpassed in the Old or New 
World. 

France, as early as possible, established along 
the lakes permanent settlements. One was that 
of Detroit, which was one of the most interest- 
ing and loveliest positions, and was settled in i 701 
by Lamotte de Cardillac. with one hundred 
Frenchmen. 

Louisiana. 

The discovery and possession of Mobile, Biloxi 
and Dauphine Island induced the French to search 
for the mouth of the Mississippi river, formerly 
discovered b)^ La Salle. Lemoine D' Iberville, a 
naval officer of talent and great experience, dis- 
covered the Balize on the 2d of March, 1699, 
proceeded up this river and took possession of the 
country known as Louisiana. D' Iberville returned 
immediately to France to announce this glorious 
news. Bienville, his brother, was left to take 
charge of Louisiana during his absence. D' Iber- 
ville returned, when Bienville and St. Denis, with 



-25 - 

a force, were ordered to explore Red river and 
thence to the borders of Mexico. La Harpe 
also ascended Red river in 1719, and built a fort 
called Charlotte ; also took possession of the Ar- 
kansas river ; afterwards floated down this river 
in pirogues, finding on its banks many thriving 
Indian villages. 

France, in September, 1712, by letters patent, 
granted Louisiana to Crozas, a wealthy French- 
man, who relinquished his rights and power in 
I 71 7 to the Company of the West, established by 
the notorious banker, John Law. Under a 
fever of great speculations, great efforts were 
made to advance the population and wealth of 
Louisiana. New Orleans was mapped out In 
1 718, and became the important city of Lower 
and Upper Louisiana. The charter and privileges 
of the "Company of the West," after Its total 
failure, was resigned to the crown of France in 
1 73 1. The country embracing- Louisiana was 
populated by numerous tribes of savages. One 
of these tribes was known as the Natchez, located 
on a high bluff, in the midst of a glorious climate, 
about 300 miles above New Orleans, on the river 
bank. The Natchez had erected a remarkable 
temple where they Invoked the "Great Spirit," 
which was decorated with various idols moulded 
from clay baked In the sun. In this temple burned 
a living fire, where the bones of the brave were 
burned. Near It, on a high mound, the chief of 
the nation, called the Sun, resided, where the 



- 26 - 

warriors chanted their war songs and held their 
great council fires. The Natchez had shown 
great hospitality to the French, The Governor 
of Louisiana built a fort near them in 1714, called 
Fort Rosalie. Chopart, afterwards commander 
of this fort, ill-treated them and unjustly demanded 
a part of their villages. This unjust demand so 
outraged their feelings that the Natchez in their 
anger lifted up the bloody tomahawk, headed by 
the "Great Sun," attacked Fort Rosalie Novem- 
ber 2S, 1729, and massacred every Frenchman in 
the fort and the vicinity. During these bloody 
scenes the chief amidst this carnage stood calm 
and unmoved, whilst Chopart's head and those of 
his officers and soldiers were thrown at his feet, 
forming a pyramid of human heads. This caused 
a bloody war, which, after many battles fought, 
terminated in the total destruction of the Natchez 
nation. In these struggles, the chief and his 400 
braves were made prisoners, and afterwards in- 
humanly sold as slaves in St. Domingo. 

The French declared war in i 735 against the 
Chickasaws, a warlike tribe, that inhabited the 
Southern States. Bienville, commander of the 
French, ordered a reunion of the troops to as- 
semble on the loth of May, 1736, on the Tom- 
bigbee river. The gallant D'Artacjuette from 
Fort Chartres, and the brave Vincennes from the 
Wabash river, with a thousand warriors, were at 
their post in time, but were forced into battle on 
the 20th of Ma}' without tlie assistance of the 



- 27 - 

other troops, were defeated and massacred. Bien- 
ville shortly afterwards, on the 27th of May, i 736, 
failed in his assault upon the Chickasaw forts, in 
the Tombigbee, where the English flag waved, 
and was forced to retreat, with the loss of his 
cannons, which forced him to return to New Or- 
leans. In 1740 the French built a fort at the 
mouth of the St. Francois river, and moved their 
troops in Fort Assumption, near Memphis, where 
peace was concluded with the Chickasaws. 

The oldest permanent settlement on the Mis- 
sissippi river was Kaskaskia, first visited by 
Father Gravier, date unknown ; but he was in 
Illinois in 1693. He was succeeded b)- Fathers 
Pinet and Bineteau. Pinet became the founder 01 
Cahokia, where he erected a chapel, and a goodly 
number of savages assembled to attend the ereat 
feast. Father Gabriel, who had chanted mass 
through Canada, officiated at Cahokia and Kas- 
kaskia in I 71 1 . 

The missionaries in 1721 established a college 
and monastery at Kaskaskia. F"ort Chartres, 
in Illinois, was built in 1 720 ; became an im- 
portant post for the security of the French, and 
a great protection for the commerce on the Missis- 
sippi. 

An expedition under Le Sieur to Upper Loui- 
siana about 1 702 in search of precious metals, 
proceeded up as far as St. Croix and St. Peter's 
rivers, where a fort was built, which had to be 
abandoned owing to the hostilities of the savages. 



28 



The Missouri. 

The French, as early as 1705, ascended the 
Missouri river to open traffic with the Missouris 
and to take possession of the country. M. Du- 
tisne, from New Orleans, with a force, arrived in 
Saline river, below St. Genevieve, moved west- 
ward to the Osage river, then beyond this about 
150 miles, where he found two large villages lo- 
cated in fine prairies abounding with wild game 
and buffalo. 

The Spanish Caravan. 

F"rance and Spain in 1719 were contending for 
dominion west of the Mississippi. Spain in 1720 
sent from Santa Fg a large caravan to make a 
settlement on the Missouri river, the design being 
to destroy the Missouris, a tril)e at peace with 
France. This caravan, after traveling and wan- 
dering, lost their way and marched into the camp 
of the Missouris, their enemies, where they were 
all massacred, except a priest, who from his dress, 
was considered no warrior. Aft(M" this expedi- 
tion from Santa Fe upon Missouri, France, under 
M. DeBourgmont, with a force in 1724 ascended 
the Missouri, established a fort on an island above 
the Osage river, naming it bort Orleans. This 
fort was afterwards attacked and its defenders 
destroyed — by whom was never ascertained. 



29 



First MinixNG. 

The first mining operations in Upper Louisiana 
(now Missouri) was by Sieur de Locham on the 
Merimac river below^ St. Louis, and supposed to 
be silver and lead mines. These were worked 
afterwards under the care of a Spaniard named 
Antonio and by Renandica, under Renault. 

Renault, the agent of the "Company of the 
West," left France in 17 19 under the auspices of 
this company with 200 miners provided with min- 
ing tools. On his passage to New Orleans he 
touched at St. Doniingo, where he purchased 500 
slaves, who were afterwards sold to the inhabit- 
ants of Upper Louisiana. He then proceeded to 
Kaskaskia for the purpose of mining in Illinois and 
Missouri. In 1720, near Fort Chartres, he built 
a village called St. Philip. Renault crossed the 
Mississip[Ai and discovered the lead mine around 
Potosi, which bears his name. He afterwards left 
for France in i 742. 

Farther south, on the St. Francis river, La- 
Motte, an agent under Renault, discovered the 
famous "Mine Lamotte." The lead from all 
these mines was taken first on pack horses ; after- 
ward in charrettes (French carts) to St. Gene- 
vieve, and from there shipped b)- river to New 
Orleans. 



;o 



St. Genevieve. 

The town of St. Genevieve was the first per- 
manent settlement west of the Mississippi river 
by emigrants from France and Canada. 

The wars between England and France more 
or less affected the growth of this continent. The 
war in 1689, known as "King William's War," 
was concluded by the treaty of Ryswick, 1697. 
"Queen Ann's War" terminated by the treaty 
of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748. These wars gave 
England supremacy in the fisheries, the posses- 
sion of the Bay of Hudson, of Newfoundland and 
all of Nova Scotia. 



The French, after years of discovery and ex- 
plorations, had acquired possession of the St. 
Lawrence river, the great Western lakes, and the 
valley of the Mississippi river ; and the control 
of the Missouri river, which was a vast empire of 
itself, and promised to be one of the most valuable 
colonies to the crown of France. 



The French aiNd Indian War from 1754 to 
1763, Known as the Seven Years' War. 

The strugg-le between Eng-laiid and France 
as to their dominion in America commenced at 
this period. It was a disastrous and bloody war, 
where both parties enhsted hordes of savages to 
participate in a warfare conducted in a disgraceful 
manner to humanity. France, at this time had 
erected a ch lin of forts from Canada to the great 
lakes and along the Mississippi Valley. The 
English controlled the territory occupied by their 
English colonies. The English claimed beyond 
the Alleghany Mountains to the Mississippi river. 
The French deemed her right to this river indis- 
putable. Virginia had granted to the " Ohio 
Company" an extensive territory reaching to the 
Ohio. Dinwiddle, Governor of Virginia, through 
George Washington, remonstrated against the 
encroachment of the French. St. Pierre, the 
French commander, received Washington with 
kindness and returned an answer, claiming the 
territory which France occupied. The "Ohio 
Company" sent out a party of men to erect a fort 
at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monon- 
gahela rivers. These men had hardly conimenced 
work on this fort when they were driven away by 
the French, who took possession and established 
"Fort du Quesne." 



3^ 



Washington, with a body of provincials from 
Virginia, marched to the disputed territory, when 
a party of French under J umonville was attacked 
and all either killed or made prisoners. Wash- 
ington, after this, erected a fort called Fort 
Necessity. From there Washington proceeded 
with 400 men towards Fort du Ouesne, where, 
hearing of the advance of M. DeVilliers with a 
large force, he returned to Fort Necessity, where, 
after a short defense, Washington had to capitu- 
late with the honorable terms of returning to Vir- 
ginia. 

On the 4th of July, 1754, the day that Fort 
Necessity surrendered, a convention of colonies 
was held at Albany, New York, for a union of 
the colonies proposed by Dr. Ben. Franklin, 
adopted by the delegates, but defeated by the 
English Government. However, at this conven- 
tion a treaty was made between the colonies and 
the "Five Nations," which proved to be of great 
advantage to England. Gen. F)raddock, with a 
force of two thousand soldiers, marched against 
Port du Ouesne. Within seven miles of this fort 
he was attacked by the French and Indian allies 
and disastrously defeated, when Washington cov- 
ered the retreat and saved the army from total de- 
struction. 

Sir William Johnson, with a large force, took 
command of the army at Fort Edward. Near 
this fort P)aron Dieskau and St. Pierre attacked 
Col, Williams and troop, where the English were 



defeated, but Sir William Johnson coming to 
the rescue defeated the French, who lost in this 
battle Dieskau and St. Pierre. 

On August 12, 1756, Marquis Montcalm, com- 
mander of the French army, attacked Fort Onta- 
rio, garrisoned by 1,400 troops, who capitulated 
as prisoners of w ar with 1 34 cannons, several 
vessels and a large amount of military stores. 
Montcalm destroyed this fort and returned to 
Canada. 

By the treaty' of peace of Aix-la-Chapelle of 
October, 1748, Acadia, known as Nova Scotia, 
and Brunswick had been ceded by France to 
England. When the war of 1754 broke out this 
territory was occupied by numerous French fami- 
lies. England, fearing their sympathy for France, 
cruelly confiscated their property, destroyed their 
humble homes and exiled them to their colonies 
in the utmost poverty and distress. 

In August, 1757, Marquis Montcalm, with a 
large army, marched on Fort William Henry, 
defended by 3,000 English troops. The English 
were defeated, and surrendered on condition that 
they might march out of the fort with their arms. 
The savage allies, as they marched out, in an out- 
rageous manner plundered them and massacred 
some in cold blood, notwithstanding the efforts of 
the French officers to prevent them. 

The military campaign thus far had been very 
disastrous to the English, which feict created 
quite a sensation in the colonies and England. 



At this critical period the illustrious Mr. Pitt, 
known as Lord Chatham, was placed at the helm 
of state on account of his talent and statesman- 
ship, and he sent a large naval armament and 
numerous troops to protect the colonies. 

Jul)' 8, 1758, Cieneral Abercrombie, with an 
army of 15,000, moved on Ticonderoga, defended 
by Marquis Montcalm. /\fter a great struggle 
the English were defeated with a loss of two 
thousand killed and wounded 

August, 27, 1758, Colonel Bradstreet, with a 
force, attacked the French fort — Fort Frontenac, 
on Lake Ontario, and took it with nine armed ves- 
sels, sixty cannons and quantity of stores, whilst 
Gen. Forbes moved on Fort Du Ouesne, and took 
it, which was afterwards called Pittsburg, in honor 
of Mr. Pitt. 

In 1759 the French evacuated Ticonderoga, 
Crown Point and Niagara. Gen. Wolf advanced 
against Quebec, then defended by the gallant 
Montcalm, where a terrible and bloody batde took 
place between the two armies. Gen. Wolf was 
killed and a. great number of English officers. 
When the brave Wolf was told the English were 
victorious, he said, " I die contented." Mont- 
calm, when told his wounds were mortal, said, 
"So much the better; I shall not live to see the 
surrender of Quebec," — which city surrendered 
September 18, 1759. 

In 1 760 another battle was fought near Quebec, 
the English were driven into their fortifications, 



- 35 - 

and only reliev^ed by the English squadron. Mon- 
treal still contended to the last, when she was 
compelled to surrender, which gave Canada to 
the English. 

By the treaty of peace, February lo, 1763, 
France ceded to England all her possessions on 
the St. Lawrence river, all east of the Mississippi 
river except that portion south of Iberville river 
and west of the Mississippi. At the same time 
all the territory here reserved being west of the 
Mississippi, and the Orleans territory was trans- 
ferred to Spain. France, after all her labors, toil 
and expenditures, and great loss of life, surren- 
dered to England and Spain her great domain in 
North America. 

The history of France, embracing a term of 
228 years, is replete with interest and with thrill- 
ing events in this country up to 1763, of which 1 
have endeavored to give only an outline. 

Notwithstanding France's great loss of her 
vast territory in America, she afterwards took an 
active part in favoring the British colonies in their 
struofHe with the Ena-Hsh, during- the American 
revolution. She also re-acquired the Louisiana 
Territory from Spain, to cede it to the United 
States. 



36 



HISTORY OF FORT CHARTRES, FORT 
GAGE, AND KASKASKIA. 



'5 



Fort Chartres being established in early times 
in the far West, on the Mississippi river, bears a 
past and interesting history. Pierre Duque Bois- 
briant was first appointed commander, at the Illi- 
nois. He arrived with French troops in the latter 
partof I 718, at Kaskaskia, 111. Boisbriant shortly 
afterwards selected a point on the Mississippi, 
about fifteen miles above Kaskaskia, where he 
erected a wooden fort, called F'ort Chartres, which 
was finished in the year 1720, when upon its ram- 
parts the lilies of France were unfurled. The first 
important arrival at this fort was Philip Francis 
Renault, director of the mines of the West, with 
his two hundred miners and a number of slaves 
from St. Domingo. Shortly afterwards, in i 72 i , 
it was visited by the historian Charlevoix, escorted 
by St. Ange de Belle-Rive, a French officer, with 
a few P^rench soldiers. The Jesuits at this time 
had established the parish of St, Anne de Fort 
Chartres, which induced a number of emigrants 
to settle near P'ort Chartres and Kaskaskia. The 
first council consisted of Boisbriant, Marc Antoine 
de La Loire, and Michael Chassin des Ursins, 
makine Fort Chartres the center of civil and mil- 



37 

Itary government of the Illinois country subject 
to the French government. This council made 
large grants of land to different persons in the Il- 
linois, Commandant Boisbriant in 1725 was suc- 
ceeded by M. de Siette, a captain of the royal 
army of France ; afterwards the command of this 
fort fell to the lot of St. Ange de Belle- Rive, a 
brave and gallant officer, who chastised the sur- 
rounding savages, which secured peace to the in- 
habitants. The noble, brave and illustrious Pierre 
D'Artaquette took command of this fort and Illi- 
nois in the year 1734. It was in 1736 he and the 
Marquis de Vincennes, of the Wabash, with troops 
from Fort Chartres and the Wabash country, ac- 
companied by a thousand warriors commanded by 
the great Indian chief Chicago, descended the 
Mississippi river in a flotilla to the Lower Chick- 
asaw Bluffs, to reach the Tombigbee to make war 
against the Chickasaw Indians, when on the 20th 
May, 1736, a terrible and bloody battle took place, 
where the Illinois troops were defeated and mas- 
sacred by the Chickasaws. This catastrophe was 
long mourned by the inhabitants and warriors of 
the Illinois and Wabash country. After the death 
of D'Artaquette, Commandant La Buissonniere 
succeeded him, when in 1739 he was ordered by 
Bienville, Governor of Louisiana, to organize 
troops to renew this war, which order he obeyed 
by descending with a flotilla to the present site of 
Memphis, where he met Bienville's army. This 



warlike expedition terminated in peace without 
any military glory to the French arms. 

Buissonniere returned with his troops in i 740 
to the fort. During his commandership Illinois 
increased rapidly in population and wealth, and a 
remarkable nucleus of good society was formed 
at Fort Chartres and Kaskaskia. Many marri- 
ages took place amongst the officers at the fort 
with brilliant young ladies of the Illinois, which 
were celebrated with great ceremony. After 
Buissonniere's administration, Benoist St. Clair, 
captain of a marine company, took charge of the 
fort for a year or more, when he was replaced by 
Chevalier de Bertel. During Bertel's time, De La 
Loire Flanneur acted as civil judge. Chevalier 
de McCarthy, major of engineers, with troops from 
France, arrived at Fort Chartres in the latter part 
of I 75 I and took charge, bearing instructions ow- 
ing to p'^nding difficulties with England, to repair 
the fort completely, and to protect the territory of 
France. McCarthy erected nearly a new fort. 
When finished, about 1755, the war broke out 
between France and England. This fort " had a 
stone wall 15 feet high, with loop holes, embras- 
ures and bastions, a large store house, with gov- 
ernment house, with iron gates and stone porch, 
with two rooms of barracks, having an intendant 
house, guard house, bake house, and prison, all 
of stone, with a larw maoazine, with doors of 
wood and iron, hung in stone doorways, all well- 



- 39 - 

mounted with cannon, the whole coverino- over 
four acres." 

Such was this important fort at the commence- 
ment of the French and Eng-Hsh war. Many of- 
ficers of this fort distinguished themselves in the 
service of France on different battle fields. Cap- 
tain Noyon de Villiers, an officer at Fort Chartres, 
burning- to revenge the death of his brother Jumon- 
ville, whom Washington and militia had attacked 
and killed, at the Great Meadow, in Virginia, 
requested the Marquis McCarthy, to permit 
him with his company to proceed to Fort 
Duquesne. In 1755, he left Fort Chartres, with 
his men, bearing the flag of France, at the call 
of the drum, descended the Mississippi, went up 
the Ohio river, soon reached Fort Duquesne^ 
where he enlisted under his relation, Coulin de 
Villiers, marched into Virginia, where after an 
obstinate contest, he compelled Washington and 
his militia to surrender " Fort Necessity." After 
this great triumph Captain Villiers returned with 
his men to Fort Chartres, where the event was 
highly celebrated. Shortly after, another gallant 
officer, named Aubry, was ordered by McCarthy 
to reinforce Fort Duquesne with 400 men. Whilst 
there he participated in the defeat of the English 
troops under Braddock near Fort Duquesne, and 
returned with his troops to Fort Chartres, well 
equipped, amidst the acclamations of the Illinois 
troops. This same officer was again sent on an 
expedition against the far distant Niagara Fort, 



-40- 

to aid in the defense of the French army, who 
had just met with terrible disasters in Canada, 
and along the lakes. In the attack on Fort Nia- 
gara, the brave Aiibry was badly wounded^ and 
great numbers of his soldiers were killed or made 
prisoners of war. Chevalier McCarthy continued 
in command until the termination of the French 
and English war. Noyon de Villiers succeeded 
McCarthy^ who received orders to evacuate the 
French possessions east of the Mississippi, being, 
Peoria on the Illinois river. Fort Massac on the 
Ohio, also Vincennes on the Wabash, and to con- 
centrate their troops at Fort Chartres. He also 
ordered to be evacuated the French fort at Kan- 
sas river and also the one on the Osage river, 
on the Missouri river. 

On the loth of July 1764 Noyon de Villiers 
left Fort Chartres with his troops, accompanied 
by civil officers and a large number of inhabitants, 
for New Orleans, however leaving St. Ange in 
command of Fort Chartres, with two lieutenants 
and forty soldiers, to guard this fort until surren- 
dered to the English, which he did on the 10th of 
October 1765 to Captain Sterling, an English 
officer. The reason the English did not take pos- 
session of Fort Chartres earlier under the treaty 
of I 763, was owing to the hostilities to the English 
by Pontiac and his warriors, who were a terror 
from the lakes to the Mississippi. Previous to 
the surrender of Fort Chartres, Pontiac visited 
this fort with four hundred warriors, to have a 



- 4i - 

council with St. Ange. The IlHnois Indians 
which surrounded Fort Chartres refused to join 
Pontiac ; he then told them : "Hesitate not, or 
I destroy you as the fire destroys the grass of 
the prairie." He further spoke to St. Ange : 
"Father, we have long wished to see you, to 
shake hands with thee, and whilst smoking the 
pipe of peace, to recall the battles in which we 
fought together against the misguided Indians, 
and the English dogs. I love the French, and I 
have come here with my warriors to avenge their 
wrongs." St. Ange, under his duties, declined, 
and told Pontiac to make peace, as nothing could be 
done. Pontiac returned north, but when he heard 
that Colonel Sterling- had taken F"ort Chartres, he 
raved and swore he would take the fort and Ster- 
ling's scalp. The English, fearing his valor and 
power, were induced te get rid of him. Whilst 
in St. Louis, Pontiac determined to go to Caho- 
kia. St. Ange endeavored to prevent him, but 
Pontiac's answer was: " I am a man and know 
how to fight." When at Cahokia, he got drunk, 
and retired to sing his medicine song, in the mean- 
time, an Engrlish merchant bribed a Peoria Indian 
with a barrel of rum, if he would kill Pontiac, 
whilst in this state and sleeping. Pontiac was 
killed, his skull being cleaved by a tomahawk. 
This outrage roused the savages friendly to Pon- 
tiac, which caused the extermination ol the Illi- 
nois nation. 

After the delivery of Fort Chartres, October 



- 42 - 

loth, 1765, by St. Ange, he and his troops re- 
moved to the Post of St. Louis, Missouri. Cap- 
tain Sterhng, shortly after occupying Fort Char- 
tres, died suddenly. He was succeeded in com- 
mand by Major Frazer Irom Fort Pitt ; afterwards 
reheved by Colonel Reed, when Colonel John 
Wilkins, on the 5th of September, 1768, took 
command of the fort. At this time a judicial 
court was established, consisting of seven judges, 
when the common law was introduced in Illi- 
nois. 

Owing to floods in the Mississippi in the )ear 
1772, Fort Chartres was abandoned, and the 
English troops from this fort removed to Kashas 
kia and Fort Gage. Previous to this, an old fort 
which stood on the present site was burnt in Oc- 
tober, 1 766. Fort Gage was located opposite 
the town of Kaskaskia, on the eastern bank of 
the Kaskaskia river, in Illinois. 

The headquarters of the English in the Illinois 
country was at Fort Chartres, from October loth, 
1765, to 1772; afterwards at F"ort Gage and 
Kaskaskia, until it was captured by Colonel 
Rogers Clark for the Commonwealth of Virginia, 
July 4th, 177H, whilst under the command of 
Rocheblave, under the Entrlish flae. 



43 ' 



Kaskaskia. 

Kaskaskia was established as early as 1686 by 
Catholic missionaries and a few Frenchmen. 

When the English took possession in 1765, 
Kaskaskia contained about sixty-five families, 
and a number of traders, coureurs des bois, and 
other casual people and many slaves. At this 
period the Jesuits had a college and church, with 
a plantation under good cultivation, containing 
240 acres. It was well-stocked, with a large 
brewery attached to it. 

Near Fort Chartres in 1765 existed a village 
with a parish church dedicated to St. Anne, and 
served by a Franciscan friar. Its population con- 
sisted of forty families. 

Prairie Du Rociier. — Camokia. 

Prairie Du Rocher, a small town, then was 
located about four miles below Fort Chartres, 
about ten miles above Kaskaskia, containing 
twelve dwelling houses inhabited with about as 
many families. This village was located along 
the Rock BluFf. At this period existed also 
Kahokia, a village on the Mississippi river, about 
six miles below the present city of St. Louis. 
It was located in a laree bend of the river. It 



- 44 - 

was on low land, but remarkably productive 
and rich in character ; this latter place was estab- 
lished shortly after Kaskaskia. Kahokia had a 
church, and contained about forty-five French fani- 
ilies. Adjoining this village the mission of St. Sul- 
pice, a catholic organization, with a good school, 
also owned a good farm, with a large and con- 
venient house and out-houses, and they cultiva- 
ted the soil mostly with slaves; this farm was well 
stocked. In the center of Kahokia stood a 
wooden fort, for the safety of its inhabitants in 
times of danger from the surrounding Indians. 
Fort Chartres in 1772 owing to the great Hood 
was entirely abandoned, then went into ruin. 
Gov. Reynolds, who visited this fort in 1S02, 
states — 

'' It presented a most striking contrast be- 
tween a savaofe wilderness filled with wild beasts 
and reptiles, and the remains of one of the largest 
and strongest fortifications on the continent. 
Large trees were growing in the houses, which 
once contained the elegant and accomplished 
French officers and soldiers; cannons, snakes and 
bats were sleeping together in peace in and 
around the Fort." 

Shortly before and after the English took pos- 
session of Illinois in 1765, a great many of the old 
French families removed to the west side of the 
Mississippi river, under the 'Lilies of France.' 
The French families in Illinois, previous to this 



-45 - 

period, were a happy and contented people, but 
their great dislike to the English government, 
caused them to sacrifice their property and aban- 
don their fire-sides and homes. They removed 
mostly to St. Genevieve and St. Louis, under a 
government more congenial to their tastes and 
habits. 



-46- 

PART II. 

EXPLORATION OF THE MISSOURI BY 
THE FRENXH UN 1705. 



The Missouri River, which flowed through an 
immense wilderness, was not known to any of the 
Europeans until it was explored by the French 
as early as 1705. Chevalier M. Lesieur was or- 
dered by Governor D' Iberville, of Louisiana, on 
a mining expedition to the Upper Mississippi in 
1702, with a few Indian guides, accompanied by 
eminent metallurgists and miners, to search for 
precious nietals. They reached St. Peters and 
Green Rivers, now Illinois, where they established 
a fort called "L'Huillier," which excited the hos- 
tility of the Indian tribes, that caused the expedi- 
tion to abandon the country. 

This party descended the Mississippi, when 
their attention was called to the Missouri River, 
and they determined to ascend this turbulent 
stream, which they did as far as the Kansas (now 
called Raw) River in the year 1705. Thc^ banks 
of the Missouri were then mostly occupied by a 



- 47 - 

powerful tribe of savages known as the " Mis- 
soLiris," with whom the French formed an alHance, 
and estabhshed a trading post among them for 
the purpose of mining and the traffic in furs and 
pekries. 

By this exploration the French took possession 
of the Missouri river and claimed dominion over 
it. 

Santa Fe Caravan, 1720. 

France and Spain were in a continual contest 
for the possession of the Mississippi Valley, which 
eventually created a war between them, as early 
as 1 7 19. The Spaniards endeavored to protect 
their possessions beyond the Mississippi river. 
The French, having possession of the Missouri 
river as early as 1705, the Spaniards concluded 
to destroy their settlements on this river, when, 
in 1720, they organized a large caravan at Santa 
Fe for that purpose. This Spanish caravan con- 
sisted of soldiers, men, priests and women, com- 
prising Spaniards, Mexicans and a mixed race 
of Indians, with a large number of horses and 
cattle. This military organization was grotesque 
in the extreme in dress and equipage ; it looked 
more like an army of clowns than a military inva- 
sion. Tliis large caravan was unacquainted with 
the route and country, and without proper guides, 
still they were enthusiastic and determined to 
take possession or the Missouri. The French 



-48^ 

had settled amono-st the " Missouris," a power- 
ful tribe of Indians, who then occupied the Mis- 
souri and Kansas rivers, and were in friendship 
and alliance with the French. The Paunee- 
Indians, were enemies to the French and Missou- 
ris, and the caravan expected aid from them, in 
their assault upon the French and Missouris. 
The caravan instead of entering the Paunee settle- 
ment, unsuspectedly marched into the Missouris' 
camp. The Spaniards informed the chief of the 
Missouris, that they came with the purpose to des- 
troy the French and the Missouris. The chief 
disguised his feelings, and received the Spaniards 
with hospitality, who distributed arms and am- 
munition amongst the Missouris ; but the chief 
soon gave orders to his warriors to rally and 
attack this caravan, which they did, and suc- 
ceeded in destroying it entirely. 

Explorations of the Interior of Missouri 
By M. De Dutisne in 1719. 

The French authorities in New Orleans, or- 
dered an exploration under M. de Dutisne, of the 
interior of Missouri, whicli was then occupied 
by different tribes of savages. M. De Dutisne 
after ascending the Mississippi, disembarked with 
his force at tlie mouth of the Saline river, a stream 
about 10 miles below the town of St. Genevieve. 
From there he took his course northwest, through 



-49 - 

Its mineral country, and over a rocky, broken and 
timber region to reach the Osag^e river, a dis- 
tance of about 300 miles. About five miles from 
this river he came upon a large village occupied 
by the Osage Indians, containing about 100 cab- 
ins and huts. After visiting this village he pro- 
ceeded further west about 120 miles to a prairie 
country, abounding in game, where he found 
two large Indian villages which seemed occupied 
by the Poncas, a warlike tribe, provided with 
a great number of horses. Then this expedition 
proceeded to the Missouri river, when M. De 
Dutisne took formal possession of the country 
and erected posts with the king's arms, as a 
testimony of their claims. 



Fort Orleans, on an Island in the Missouri 
River, — 1 724. 

Owing to the Santa Fe Caravan of the Span- 
iards in 1720, on the Missouri, the French were 
compelled to protect their interest and dominion 
on the Missouri river, A military force was or- 
ganized at Mobile under Chevalier M. De Bourg- 
mont, de I'ordre Royal et Militaire, who estab- 
lished "Fort Orleans" on an Island in the Mis- 
souri river above the Osage river in the year 
1724, four years after the Spanish caravan had 
been entirely destroyed. At this latter period, 



- 50- 

the different tribes of Indians, who inhabited 
Missouri were at war, which was very injurious 
to the fur trade, and to the French voyagers and 
traders. Chevaher Bourgmont, with his troops, 
attempted to establish peace, amongst those 
tribes of savages, and succeeded after a short time 
in this laudable object. 

For this purpose, Bourgmont with his force, set 
out from Fort Orleans July 3d, 1724. for Kansas 
river, where he had invited the Great chiefs of 
these several tribes to meet, when a large council 
was held, consisting of the Kansas, Othouez, 
Aiowez, Osages, and Missouris. Bourgmont and 
his French troops were received with great pomp 
and hospitality by these savages and they were 
entertained by Indian dances and war songs. 
After much deliberation in council, peace was de- 
clared amonofst the tribes of Indians, an alliance 
was formed with the French. At this great 
council, chevalier Bourgmont induced them to 
make peace with the Padoucas, a powerful tribe, 
inhabiting an extensive country between the Mis- 
souri and New Mexico, then extentling to the 
Spanish possessions. 

For that purpose Bourgmont with the Indian 
chiefs and warriors, accompanied by three hun- 
dred squaws, made an expedition to the camp of 
the Padoucas ; traversing a country filled with 
buffalo and orame, while the baoo-acre was trans- 
ported by the squaws and three hundred dogs at- 
tached to sledges. When Bourgmont and sol- 



- 51 - 

diers, with his Indian alHes, arrived at the Pa 
doucas camp, they were received with great hos- 
pitaHty and Indian pomp, when a large Indian 
council was held. 

Bourgmont presented to the great chief of the 
Padoucas a French flasf, whilst he distributed a 
large quantity of goods, amongst all the savages 
assembled, consisting "of red and blue lembergs, 
shirts, fusils, gun-powder, balls, muskets, Hints, 
eun-screws, hatchets, lookinof-crlasses, scissors, 
knives, combs, awls, needles, glasses, brass wire 
and rings." 

The Padoucas were not acquainted with fire- 
arms. They were greatly surprised and enchanted 
with the military discipline of the French soldiers. 

A general council was held, and peace among 
the Indian tribes declared, and an alliance made 
with the F"rench. This expedition to these tribes 
of Indians and to the Padoucas, was from July 3, 
to November I, 1724, The Indian chief, when 
presented with the Lilies of France, said: "I 
accept this flag, and my two hundred warriors 
are at the service of the French." Bourgmont, 
after establishing peace among these several 
tribes of Indians, returned to " Fort Orleans." 
He remained a few months at this fort. After he 
left it and during his absence this Fort Orleans 
was destroyed and its soldiers massacred, and, 
strange to say, it was never ascertained by whom 
it was attacked and destroyed. 



- 52 - 



PART III. 



TERRITORY OF LOUISIANA. 



New Organization of Louisiana Territory 
Under Crozat. 171 2 — 171 7. 

For the purpose of improving the commerce 
and mining operations of the Colony of Louisiana, 
and to reorganize this Territory, Louis XIV, 
" the Grand Monarch " of France, made a grant 
and concession of the same in the year 171 2 to 
the Sieur Crozat, a wealthy and enterprising 
Frenchman, whilst M. de Lamotte was made its 
governor in 171 3. Crozat, after much labor and 
toil and a large expenditure of money in mining 
and commerce, for five years, found that this 
grant was too extensive and too difficult for him 
to manage, and surrendered his grant back to the 
crown of b ranee on the 23d of August, 1717. 

LoLiis XIV having died in 1715, he was suc- 
ceeded by Louis XV. Being a minor at the time, 
the Duke of Orleans was made regent of France. 
Louis XIV, after a glorious reign for years, met 
eventually with great disasters, after twenty-eight 



- 53 - 

years of war, left France in a deplorable condi- 
tion financially, and in a bankrupt state. Louis 
XV after this organized the " Compagnie des 
Indes " by " lettres-patentes," in August 1717, 
with extensive powers and authority over the 
Louisiana Territory, which Company existed un- 
til the year i 73 1 . 

During the terrible financial crisis in F" ranee, in 
the reign of Louis XV, there appeared a remark- 
able person, to take the helm of finances of that 
bankrupt country. This individual had great 
wealth, a commanding appearance, talent and 
irenius ; he was a Scotchman bv birth. This man 
was the notorious John Law. He was promoted 
to the head of " the Bank of Circulation," in 
1716, and of the " Banque Royale," in 1718. 
Whilst controling large commercial operations, 
he became the controling spirit of the " Compa- 
enie des Indes," which had the manaofement of 
the commerce and mining operations of the 
great " Territory of Louisiana." This last Com- 
pany contributed a great deal to improve and po- 
pulate the country from Louisiana to the Can- 
adian country. 

The system adopted by France, in an over- 
issue ot paper money, accompanied by a 
regime of wild speculation in the city of Paris, 
occasioned an extravagant mode of living, which 
corrupted the manners of the people and 
brought on France a terrible financial crisis, which 
reached its colonies. However, the Territory 



54 



of Louisiana under John Law's surveillance 
greatly increased in wealth and population. 
John Law's financial failure, which followed, was 
greatly owing to the corruption of the times 
and the bankrupt condition of France. 



55 - 



CESSION BY FRANCE TO SPAIN 



Cession by France of the Louisianvv Terri- 
tory TO Spain, in 1762. — The Parisian and 
Spanish Codes in said Territory. 

The laws and customs of Paris were in force 
in the dominion of Prance, in North America, 
before the ceding of her possessions to England 
by the treaty of Paris, February loth, 1763, also 
by cession of the Louisiana Territory to Spain, by 
secret treaty of November 3d, 1762, not made 
known until April 12th, 1764. 

Don Ulloa, appointed Governor-General of 
Louisiana by Spain in 1767, arrived at New Or- 
leans, with a company of infantry, to take posses- 
sion in the name of his Spanish sovereign. 
He refused to show his authority to the " Supe- 
rior Council " at New Orleans ; and other causes 
induced the citizens to take up arms against 
Spain, Governor Ulloa was ordered to leave the 
city of New Orleans. He soon embarked with 
his troops on a Spanish vessel, and left the 
country. 

In the meantime, Rios, a Spanish officer, was 
sent to St. Louis, to take possession of Upper 
Louisiana. He arrived in St. Louis with a 
small body of troops on the nth of August, 1768. 



-56- 

During his stay at St. Louis, he seems to have 
exercised no civil authority, and only attempted 
to take possession of the country. 

Spain did not actually take possession of the 
Louisiana Territory until Count O'Reilly, a Span- 
ish officer, arrived in i\evv Orleans, with a large 
military force, in August, 1769, when he issued 
his proclamation abolishing the French laws, and 
subtituted the Spanish code. 

The conveyance of the Louisiana Territory, 
created great dissatisfaction amongst the French 
inhabitants, who still claimed allegiance to France. 
Count OTveilly, during his administration, in a 
tyrannical manner arrested a nuniber of inHuential 
French citizens, executed a few, imprisoned two 
in Havana, Cuba, and maltreated others. The 
substitution of the Spanish laws was confirmed by d 
the Spanish government on March 24, 1770. 

The Territory of Louisiana was retroceded by 
Spain to France in the year 1800, and France, 
by the treaty of 1803, ceded it to the United 
States, who took possession March 10, 1804. 

The acts of the United States Congress of 
March 26, 1804, of 1805, and of June 1812, did 
not abrogate the Spanish laws. The act of Jan- 
uary 19, 1816, of the Legislature of Missouri Ter- J 
ritory, attempting to introduce the common laws 
of England, provided they were not repugnant to 
the United States laws and statutes of the then 
Territory of Missouri, by decisions of courts did 
not repeal former kuvs. It was the act of Feb- 



- 57- 

ruary, 1825, of the Legislature of the State of 
Missouri, which estabhshed the common law, 
which abolished the Spanish code. The Spanish 
laws were in force in Upper Louisiana (now Mis- 
souri) from 1769 until 1825, excepted as modi- 
fied by the Territorial Legislature of Missouri. 

The original grants of land in Upper Louisiana 
depended upon the grants made by Spanish offi- 
cers and Spanish laws, hence the importance of 
the original land titles. The i)ublic records show 
that no lands in Upper Louisiana were attempted 
to be granted until April 27, 1766 to 1770 by 
St Ange de Belle Rive. The grants made by 
St. Ange, without authority, were afterwards 
examined, surveyed and granted by Spanish 
officers on the 23d of May, 1772, during the ad- 
ministration of Lieutenant-Governor Don Pedro 
Piernas, the then Spanish Governor of Upper 
Louisiana. 



58 



PART IV. 



NAVIGATION IN THE WEST. 



The Naval Armamf:nt of the Spaniards on 
THE Mississippi in early Times. — The 
Western Boatman. ■ - Introduction of 
Steam Power. 

The Mississippi river, known as the "Father 
of Waters," takes its source from the great North- 
West, traversing an immense forest and country, 
and rolhncr its vast waters to the Gulf of Mexico. 
At times it is filled with sand bars, snags, sawyers, 
and drift wood. It is studded with numerous 
and beautiful Islands. Its banks were originally 
inhabited by several tribes of Indians and by 
wild animals and fowls of every species. Its 
bosom then, was only ruffled by the Indian bark 
canoe. 

The first discovery of this magnificent river, 
was by Ferdinand De Soto and his Spanish cav- 
aliers, fifty years after the discovery of America 
by Columbus, in search of gold and precious met- 
als, which was conducted in a spirit of brutality, 
avarice and religious zeal. It was in the year 



- 59 - 

1673. that Father Marquette, accompanied by 
JoHet, and decked with a beautiful cahimet, 
adorned with rich plumage, a gift from the Indian 
warriors of Illinois — being the emblem of peace, 
descended this monarch river, from the Wiscon- 
sin river to the Arkansas. 

Shortly after this, the immortal La Salle and 
armament, in the year 1682, descended the Mis- 
sissippi to the Gulf of Mexico, for commercial 
purposes, and to erect the lilies of France over 
its banks. 

During the dominion of France and Spain 
over the Mississippi river in early times, there 
existed along the banks of this river, a great num- 
ber of pirates, desperadoes and savages, who 
committed many depredations upon the com- 
merce of the country, whilst robberies, murders, 
and terrible crimes, were committed upon flat 
and keel-boats, which navigated from St. Louis 
and the Ohio river to New Orleans. They 
were the terror of boat-men, who had to pay 
tribute to them, often at the sacrifice of life and the 
loss of their cargoes. The principal places of 
attack and refuge for these pirates and despera- 
does, were at the "Riviere des Liards" (Cotton- 
wood creek), also Grand Tower, half way between 
St. Louis and the Ohio river. These two places 
were the nucleus for the bands of marauders. 

Whilst France waved her flag over Fort Char- 
tres, in early times, a large keel-boat from New 
Orleans, loaded with goods, provisions and am- 



. 6o- 

munition, was captured at Grand Tower, by 
pirates and savages. The cargo was seized, and 
crew murdered with the exception of a young wo- 
man from New Orleans, who wasgoing to join her 
sister at the fort, but by some remarkable fortune 
escaped at the time in the woods. She wandered up 
the bank of the river, suffering for want of food, 
severity of the weadier, and the terror of being 
discovered, until she reached the high bluffs of 
Illinois, and beheld the flag over F'ort Chartres 
to her great joy. 

This occurrence gave her new courage, and 
she proceeded on her way with torn clothes and 
lacerated feet, until she fortunately reached Fort 
Chartres, and related the terrible fate of the 
boat. 

At Be.\usoleil Island. 

We give another incident of these piracies, 
from the "Great West": In the year 1787, a 
barge richly laden, left New Orleans, bound for 
St. Louis. At Beausoleil Island the robbers 
boarded the vessel, and ordered the crew below, 
with the owner, Mr. Beausoleil, among them. 
His whole fortune was in tliis barge, and now 
as he was to be deprived of it, he was in agony. 
But all was saved to him through the heroic dar- 
ing of a negro, one of the crew. 

The negro Cacasotte was short and slender, 
but strong and active. As soon as the robbers 



-6i - 

had taken possession, Cacasotte appeared over- 
joyed. He danced, sang, laughed, and soon 
induced them to beh'eve that his elDulhtion of 
pleasure arose from their having liberated him 
from slavery. His constant attention to their 
smallest wants won their confidence, and he alone 
was permitted to roam unmolested through the 
vessel. 

Having so far effected his object, he seized the 
first opportunity to speak to Mr, Beausoleil and 
beg permission to rid him of his dangerous 
intruders. 

He laid his plan before his master, who, with 
a good deal of hesitation, acceded to it. Cac- 
asotte was cook, and it was agreed between him 
and his conspirators, likewise two negroes, that 
the signal for dinner should be the signal for 
action. When the hour arrived, the robbers 
assembled in considerable numbers on the deck, 
'and stationed themselves on the bow and stern, 
and along the sides, to prevent any rising of 
the men. Cacasotte went among them with the 
utmost unconcerned look and demeanor imag- 
inable. As soon as his comrades had taken their 
station, he placed himself in the bow near one of 
the robbers, a stout, herculean fellow, who was 
armed cap-a-pie. 

Cacasotte gave the preconcerted signal, and 
immediately the robber near him was struggling 
in the water. With the speed of lightning he ran 
from one robber to another, as they were sitting 



- 62 - 

on the sides of the boat, and in a few seconds time 
had thrown several of them overboard. Then 
seizing an oar, he struck on the head those who 
had attempted to save themselves by grappling 
the running board ; then shot with rifles that had 
been dropped on deck, those who swam away. 
In the meantime his comrades had done almost as 
much as their leader. The deck was soon cleared 
and the robbers who remained below were too 
few to offer any resistance. 

But as these did not comprise all the band, they 
continued their depredations until the next year, 
when they were broken up and all kinds of mer- 
chandise, the fruits of their depredations, were 
found on the Island. 

L'annee des Bateaux. — 1788. 

The many depredations on the Mississippi 
river induced the Spanish Governor of Louisiana 
to order that all the boats going up the river in 
the year 1788, should leave New Orleans togeth- 
er, which formed that year an armed convoy ot 
ten boats, for the purpose of destroying the pirates 
on the river. This armament was very success- 
ful and resulted in the dispersion of these maraud- 
ers, the seizureof their stolen fire-arms, goods and 
ammunition, and the breaking up of their encamp- 
ments. That year became known as "L'annee 
des Dix Bateaux," 



-63 



Spanish Naval Armament. 

A naval armament was ordered by Spain in die 
year 1797, on the Mississippi river, of several 
galleys of forty oars, commanded by Don Carlos 
Howard, for the protection of Spanish commerce 
and dominion over the Mississippi. This naval 
expedition consisted of one hundred oarsmen and 
seamen, who organized in New Orleans and navi- 
gated up the river, until they reached St. Louis 
in safety. That year was known as, "L'annee 
des Galeres." 

The Western Boatmen. 

Previous to the introduction of steam-power 
on the Western waters, there existed a large num- 
ber of W^estern boatmen, who were a class of men 
of great bravery, hardy, fearless, and of a des- 
perate character. They were accustomed to 
every kind of dangers, privations and exposures; 
with their skiffs, canoes, pirogues, barges and 
keel-boats they navigated the Western waters, to 
great distances, amidst a vast wilderness in the 
transportation of groceries, furs, and goods of all 
kinds. 

The boatmen were roughly dressed, naked to 
the waist, sunburnt, developed herculean strength, 
propelled their boats up and down the rivers, 
with their strong arms ; often used the cordel, and 



-64- 

common sails, when the weather was favorable. 
After a day's of hard work, they took their ration 
of whiskey, and, with a good appetite, ate their 
supper, consisting- of pork and hominy. They 
then stretched themselves with their blankets on 
the boat for rest, while lulled to sleep by the mu- 
sic of the fiddle and the gushing of the waters. 
The steersman's horn called them in the early 
morning to the " fillee " and ]:)reakfast, then to 
their hard toil as oarsmen for the day. 

The keel-boat men were fond of fist-fighting as 
a pastime ; and looked upon raftsmen and flat- 
boatmen, as their enemies, which often brought a 
collision between them. Their arrival in port 
was the cause of general frolic amongst them, 
when they indulged in all kinds of dissipation. 

Mike Fink, the Notorious Boatman. 

This notorious boatman of the West, was born 
at Pittsburgh. In early youth his ruling passion 
was to become a boatman. He soon gratified his 
ambition and became notorious in this occupation. 
He was n(?arly six feet in height; his skin was 
tanned by his great exposure to the weather ; he 
possessed an herculean strength. " His language 
was the half-horse and half- alligator dialect of that 
race of ]:)oatmen." lie was well acquainted with 
the navigation of the Western rivers and knew 
his business thorouohly. 



-65- 

Fink had always around him boon companions, 
and his many dangerous fights gave him notoriety 
and cliaracter, and are too numerous to relate. 
He was a splendid shot ; never missed the object 
he fired upon. His partner and j:)articular friend 
Carpenter, was also a good shot. " Mike and 
Carpenter used to fill a tin-cup with whiskey, and 
placing it in turn on each other's head, shot at 
it with a rifle, at the distance of seventy yards ; it 
was always bored through without injury, until 
they had a quarrel together, about a squaw, when 
Fink shot Carpenter. Fink was a reckless and 
passionate man, and kept a mistress in every 
port, which often brought him into trouljle. His 
career was that ot a desperado. 

Whilst in St. Louis, in about the year 1815, 
being on his boat at St. Louis landing, he saw a 
negro standing on the river bank. Fink took up 
his rifle and shot off the poor fellow's heel. He 
fell, badly wounded and crying murder. Fink 
was arrested, and found guilty by a jury. His 
justification was that the fellow's heel projected 
too far behind, preventing him wearing a genteel 
boot, and he wished to correct the defect." 

Captain E. W. Gould states that Mike Fink 
began his career as a spy and scout against 
the Indians along the Ohio during the war of 
1812. Subsequently he became in succession a 
boatman, a whiskey guzzler, a desperado and a 
trapper, in all of which vocations he attained the 
first rank. The most marvelous tales are told of 



- 66 - 

Mike's achievements in each of these branches of 
endeavor, and what is known of him from the tes- 
timony of veracious eye-witnesses to his deeds 
makes-the wildest and most surprising of the sto- 
ries plausible. He was the best rifle shot in the 
Mississippi Valley, could, and often did, drink a 
gallon of whiskey in twenty-four hours without 
its making any perceptible change in his demea- 
nor or language, and, according to his own state- 
ment, could " outrun, outtop, outjump, throw 
down, drag out and lick any man in the coun- 
try." To which recapitulation of qualifications 
he used sometimes to add : "I am a Salt River 
roarer ; I love the wimmen and am chuck full of 
fight." Those who knew him said that physic- 
ally he was a model for a Hercules. 

When during the " 20's " by the introduction 
of the steamboat, Mike found his occupation as a 
flatboatman gone, he joined a party of Missouri 
trappers and went to the mouth of the Yellow- 
stone, and at that place his career closes. One 
day, while attempting to shoot at seventy yards 
distance a tin cup from a comrade's head, a feat 
which he had accomplished often before, both in 
his sober and drunken moments, he killed the 
companion. It was suspected that this was not an 
accident, and a few weeks later, while under the 
influence of whiskey, Mike confessed that he had 
done the deed intentionally, whereupon one of 
the dead man's friends killed him. With the 



-67- 

" removal " of Mike Fink disappeared the last and 
most notable of the flatboatmen. 

Steam Power Introduced on Western Rivers 

IN 181I. 

The first steamer constructed, and propelled by 
steam on Western rivers, was the "New Orleans," 
at Pittsburgh in the year 1811. The plan of this 
steamer was made. by Robert Fulton. She was 
one hundred and sixteen feet long, by twetny feet 
beam, propelled by steam ; she was constructed 
by Nicolas Roosevelt and some New York me 
chanics. She was launched and ready for navi- 
gation in the year 181 1, the year of the Great 
Comet, which appeared in the heavens, foretell- 
ing great events. 

The " New Orleans " made her first trip from 
Pittsburgh to Louisville on the Ohio river. The 
crew consisted of a captain, an engineer, a pilot, 
six hands, two women-servants, a cook and a 
man- waiter. As she floated down the river, she 
drew much attention from the people, who stood 
on the banks to watch this first steamboat, and 
hoping its success. The only passengers on 
board, at the time, were Mr. Roosevelt and wife. 
The great success of this enterprise, and the arri- 
val of the steamer at Louisville, was commemo- 
rated by a sumptuous dinner given to the crew 
by the citizens of Louisville. 



- 68 - 

The " New Orleans," not being then able to 
pass the Falls, returned to Pittsburgh ; and soon 
again descended the Ohio, passed the Falls, then 
proceeded to New Orleans, were she arrived in 
safety, which became a triumph in steam naviga- 
tion on the Western waters. 

Steamboats. — 1817. 

It was on the memorable day of June 17, 1817, 
that the first steamer named " Pike," commanded 
by Jacob Reed, steamed up the Mississippi above 
the mouth of the Ohio river, and entered the 
port of St. Louis, which event seemed miraculous 
to its inhabitants and the sons of the forest. It 
was but a few years afterwards, that nunierous 
and splendid steamers could be seen with flying 
colors navigating the great waters of the West. 
Suffice it to state, that what formerly took many 
months' navigation — from New Orleans to St. 
Louis, is now accomplished within five or six 
days, showing at this period the wonderful im- 
provement in steam navigation. 

Missouri Kivi'.k Navkjation. 

In 1819, the steamboat " Independence," Cap- 
tain Nelson, from Louisville, Kentucky, naviga- 
ted the Missouri river, as far as Old Chariton, 
above Glasgow, returned to Franklin, taking 



-69- 

freight for Louisville. The first steamboat, up 
the Upper Mississippi, was the " General Put- 
nam," Moses D. Bates, Captain. It navigated 
to Galena, Illinois, during the summer of 1825. 

Navigation of Western Rivers by Steam- 
PowER IN 1874. 

The commerce on Western rivers increased 
greatly by the introduction of steam power, for in 
the year 1874, the amount of tonnage afloat on 
the Western rivers, embraced 2,085 vessels of 
400,718 tons ; of these, loi 7 were steamers regis- 
tering 272,704 tons, and 633 barges registering 
129,018 tons. 

The products of the Mississippi basin transpor- 
ted by river in 1874 were as follows : 

Indian Corn, bushels - - 626,369,442 

Wheat . _ - . 214,305,341 

Oats .... 176,367,379 

Barley _ . . . 12,643,714 

Rye . - - . 6,508,7 17 

Total - - 1,035,194,584 

Cotton (Bales) _ . _ 3,011,993 

Tobacco, Pounds - - 228,713,884 
Average loss annually then of vessels 

and property on the rivers - $3,225,444 

Average loss of lives (annually) - - 431 

Showing the immense increase of commerce on 
Western rivers during a half century. 



70 - 



PART V. 



AMERICAN CONQUESTS. 



The Capture of Kaskaskia, of Cahokia and 

ViNCENNES BY CoL. RoGEKS ClARK, AND HIS 

Defense of St. Louis in i 778-1 780. 

During the most tryino- times of the American 
Revokition, and whilst Patrick Henry, the great 
orator and statesman, was fortunately then the 
Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia, Col- 
onel Rogers Clark seeing the great advantages 
to accrue to Virginia, offered to its authorities 
his services in raising troops to take possession 
of Illinois, which was then a vast country, north 
of the Ohio river, occupied and claimed by the 
British under the treaty of i 763 

Governor Henry, without the concin-rence of 
the Colonial Congress, but with the advice of 
Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and (George 
Whyte, concluded in the name of Virginia to 
empower Colonel Clark to raise troops to invade 
Illinois, and more specially to capture Kaskaskia 
and establish a fort near the mouth of the Ohio. 
Governor Patrick Henry on the 2d January i 778, 



- 71 - 

gave private instructions to Col. George Rogers 
Clark. 

Colonel Clark immediately commenced organ- 
izing his Virginia riflemen, and proceeded to 
Fort Pitt for ammunition ; from thence descended 
the Ohio river, and formed a camp, known as 
"Corn Island," opposite the present city of Louis- 
ville, Ky. After organizing his troops there, he 
left his camp June 24, 1778, for the Illinois coun- 
try. He descended the Ohio river in keel-boats, 
as far as the mouth of the Tennessee river, when 
he met a party of hunters, amongst them John 
Duff, who was direct from Kaskaskia, and gave 
him important information. John Saunders was 
employed as a guide to conduct Colonel Clark to 
Kaskaskia. From the Tennessee river they pro- 
ceeded further down the Ohio to "Fort Mas- 
sacre," being forty miles above its mouth. 

Governor Reynolds of Illinois says: — 

"The reason ot this fort acquiring its name, is 
a little singular. The Indians of the south side 
of the Ohio, opposite this fort, covered them- 
selves with bear skins, and imitated the bear 
with their movements, on a sandy beach of the 
river. The French soldiers in the garrison, sup- 
posed them true and genuine bears, crossed the 
river to have a bear hunt, but sorely did they 
suffer for it ; the Indians threw off their bear skins 
and massacred the soldiers." 

This Fort Massacre, now called Fort Massac, 



was built in the year 1758, but in the year 1711 
was a missionary station. 

From here Clark, through the wilderness and 
prairies took a direct course as possible to Kas- 
kaskia, and by his activity and boldness captured 
Fort Gage and Kaskaskia July 4th, 1778 , without 
the loss of a man. The post of Kaskaskia was 
at the time under the command of M. Roche- 
blave, a French officer, who acted under English 
authority. He was made a prisoner, and sent to 
Virginia. When Kaskaskia was captured, its 
inhabitants were much alarmed and seized with 
great fear on account of the presence of the troops 
of Virginia. Men, women, and children were 
heard lamenting and screaming, " Les longs 
Couteaux ! " 

Colonel Clark soon brought order out of con- 
fusion, and told the inhabitants that he antl his 
soldiers came amongst them as friends and not 
as enemies. When assured of this, and inform- 
ed that France had made an alliance with the 
Americans, these compeers of Lafayette immedi- 
ately accepted allegiance to Virginia. They all 
assembled at the old Catholic church. The Te 
De2ii7i was loudly chanted and the old bells rang 
their joyful peal. 

Kaskaskia was then populated by b renchmen 
and Canadians, with a jjopulation of over one 
thousand, and contained about two hundred an4 
fifty dwellings. 



- 73 - 

Colonel Clark immediately despatched Captain 
Bowen, with a company, accompanied by some 
of the French soldiers from Kaskaskia, who took 
possession of Cahokia without trouble or blood- 
shed. 

Captain Helm, with a small force, accompanied 
by Father Gibault, the Catholic pastor of Kaskas- 
kia, was sent to take possession of Vincennes, 
which was done, with the inhabitants, who also 
took allegiance to Virginia. 

Governor Hamilton of Detroit, the British offi- 
cer in command, hearing of the capture of the 
place by Captain Helm, determined to retake it, 
which he did, December 15, 1777. Colonel 
Clark, being informed of this, was determined to 
retake the position. He immediately ordered 
and armed a Mississippi naval boat at Kaskaskia, 
commanded by Captain Rogers, with forty-six 
men, mounted with two four-pounders and six 
swivels, being the first naval armament in the 
West. They were to descend the Kaskaskia 
and Mississippi, and to proceed up the Ohio and 
Wabash rivers, to be in position to serve at Vin- 
cennes Colonel Clark, with his troops and the 
assistance of soldiers from Kaskaskia and from 
Cahokia. One company, organized from Caho- 
kia, was commanded by the brave Chevalier 
Mc Carty, and the one from Kaskaskia was com- 
manded by Captain Francis Charleville. Captain 
Charleville, was the son of Joseph Chauvin, mar- 
quis de Charleville. The Charleville family bore 



- 74- 

an honorable name. Captain Francis Charleville 
left twin sons, Jean Baptiste and Charles, who 
settled in St, Genevieve district. These two sons 
served in the war of 1812 under General Dodge. 
The other son, named Joseph, emigrated to 
St. Louis, and left numerous descendants in that 
city. 

Colonel Clark, proceeding by land, by forced 
marches and much suffering, appeared before 
Fort Sackville and Vincennes, attacked the 
British and Indians, and captured both places on 
the 24th day of February, 1779. Governor 
Hamilton and troops were made prisoners and he 
was sent under strong guard to Virginia. 

The house of burgesses of Virginia in October, 
1778, made John Todd lieutenant-colonel civil 
commander of Kaskaskia and of Illinois country. 
During these campaigns, Cahokia was under 
charge of Captain Bowman, Kaskaskia under 
Captain Williams, and Vincennes under Captain 
Helm. 

Colonel Clark, in the summer of 1779 embark- 
ed in his galliy, commanded by Captain Rogers, 
by the way of the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi 
returning to Kaskaskia from Vincennes. While 
at Kaskaskia in the latter part of 1779, he was 
advised tlirougli his scouts that British soldiers 
and Indians from the lakes, contemplated an 
attack upon St. Louis. He offered his services 
to tlic authorities of that post. But Governor 
Leyba, then commander of the post, declined to 



- 75 - 

accept the same, the post of St. Louis at the time 
being in Upper Louisiana and under the Spanish 
flag. 

When the inhabitants of St. Louis saw the 
danger that threatened them, they sent word to 
Colonel Clark, at Kaskaskia, to come to their 
rescue. Colonel Clark in the mean time had 
kept a rigid watch upon the movements of the 
British and Indians in Illinois, When he heard 
of the approach of the enemy in their intended 
attack upon the post of St. Louis, he marched his 
troops to Cahokia, and also opposite to St. Louis. 

This movement of his, produced terror amongst 
the British and Indians, and caused this hostile 
force to abandon their project. Shortly after 
this. Colonel Clark sent a detachment of one hun- 
dred and fifty men to Prairie Des Chiens, and 
across the Rock and Illinois rivers and down to 
Kaskaskia, commanded by Captain John Mont- 
gomery. The Indians were struck with terror, 
saying, if so few dare to follow them "They would 
fight like devils." 

There can be no doubt in this matter, after 
the statements of such historians as Benton, 
Monette, Judges Martin, Drake and others, and 
especially of Amos Stoddard, a captain of artil- 
lery in the service of the United States, who took 
possession of Upper Louisiana in March, 1804, 
in the name of the United States. Is it probable 
that Colonel Clark, knowing of this contemplated 
attack, would permit British troops and Indians, 



-76- 

with whom he was at war, to cross the IlHnois 
country to take an important post but one half a 
day's march, from Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and 
to snatch from him his laurels and conquest? 
Hence Colonel Clark was prepared for this inva- 
sion : with his usual foresight and talent movincr 
his forces from Kaskaskia and Cahokia, to oppo- 
site the post of St. Louis, and was ready to act 
with promptness in case of necessity, which he did, 
and caused a panic amongst the British and war- 
riors, which prevented the post of St. Louis from 
being sacked and made a British post. It is 
well known that Governor Leyba was shortly 
afterwards removed from office. What, with 
this treachery and with the enemy's strength, pre- 
vented St. Louis from being captured, if it had 
not been for the noble and chivalrous Clark? 

Such is the correct history of what is known 
as "L'annee du Coup." 

In accordance with Governor Patrick Henry's 
instructions of January 2, 1778, Colonel Clark, 
during the spring of 1780, established Fort Jeff- 
erson, below the mouth of the Ohio, in the coun- 
try of the Chickasaw Indians. It was soon after 
the attack on St. Louis, that Colonel Clark, with 
a force descended the Kaskaskia and Mississippi 
rivers, with his naval armament, carrying cannon 
and anmiunition from Fort Gage and Kaskaskia, 
to Fort Jefi'erson, being not over three days' 
navicration. 

Colonel Clark left hort Jefferson in the month 



- 11 - 

of June, 1780, when he had scarcely finished his 
labors at this fort, owing to Colonel Byrd's inva- 
sion of the Licking in Kentucky. Colonel Byrd 
had then captured two northern stations in that 
state. Colonel Clark immediately resolved to go 
to Harodsburg. For this purpose he disguised 
himself, with two companions, as savages, and 
amid ereat dangers soon reached there. Thence 
he proceeded to Louisville and arrived there July 
14, 1780, where in August, 1780, he took com- 
mand of a regiment of mounted volunteers, 
to invade the Great Miami. In the same 
year Colonel Clark took command of the 
Kentucky militia, with the title of brigadier-gen- 
eral. In April, 1781, Clark returned to Fort 
Jefferson to defend it against the Chickasaw 
warriors headed by Colbert, a half-bred chief. 
Shortly afterward the fort was dismantled by 
order of Virginia, when the Chickasaw Indians 
ceased their hostilities. 

Colonel Clark occupied the Illinois country 
from the taking of Kaskaskia, July 4th, 1778, to 
June, 1780, and had in less than two years con- 
quered it, having possession of Cahokia, Kaskas- 
kia, Vincennes and Fort Jefferson, in the mean- 
time makinor valuable treaties with the different 
tribes of Indians. These military achievements 
in so short a time required all his personal atten- 
tion, and his exploits certainly, under the many 
difficulties are wonderful and extraordinary. Col- 
onel Clark's bravery, activity and genius, saved 



-78- 

St. Louis and Illinois and prevented them from 
falling under the English rules. General George 
Roofers Clark deserves for this Q-reat and magni- 
ficent domain acquired to the United States the 
gratitude of its citizens, and more especially of 
this great Valley. 

It is not my purpose at this time to follow fur- 
ther his military career ; sufficient to say that 
after the services he had rendered he was des- 
tined like great benefactors to become poor and 
destitute, until Virginia presented him with a 
sword and $400 annual allowance. 

General Clark died at Locust Grove, near 
Louisville, at the residence of his brother-in-law, 
Major Croghan. 



- 79 - 

HISTORY OF FORT JEFFERSON. 
Establisii?:d in 1780. 



In accordance with Governor P. Henry's ins- 
tructions, January 28, 1778 and the subsequent 
orders of Governor Thomas Jefferson, of Vir- 
ginia, during- the spring of i 780, Colonel George 
Rogers Clark established Fort Jefferson. This 
fort was built four miles below the Ohio river, on 
the Mississippi, above May field creek, which is 
opposite Island No. i, in the then country of the 
Chickasaw and Cnerokee Indians. It was soon 
after the attack on St. Louis May, 26, 1780, that 
Col. Clark, June 4, 1780, with a force descended 
the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers, with his 
naval armament, carrying cannons and ammuni- 
tions from Forts Gage and Kaskaskia to erect 
Fort Jefterson, being not over three days' navi- 
gation from Kaskaskia. 

Fort Jefferson was attacked in the summer of 
I 78 1, by the Chickasaws and other Indian war- 
riors, headed by Colbert, a Scotchman. After a 
few days' siege it was relieved by Colonel Rogers 
Clark, which forced these savages to retreat. 
This fort was shortly afterwards abandoned by 
orders of Virginia. 



- 8o- 

We give the graphic description of this fort 
by Governor Reynolds, of IlHnois : 

In 1780, the Government of Virginia, the great 
statesman Thomas Jefferson, being Governor, 
knew that the Spanish Crown pretended to have 
some claim on the country east of the Mississippi, 
below the mouth of the Ohio ; and to counteract 
this claim, ordered George Rogers Clark to erect 
a fort on the east side of the Mississippi, on the 
first eligible point below the mouth of the Ohio, 

General Clark, with his accustomed foresight 
and extraordinairy energy, levied a considerable 
number of citizen soldiers, and proceeded from 
Kaskaskia to the high land, known at this day 
as Mayfield's creek, five miles below the mouth of 
the Ohio. Here, on the east side of the Missis- 
sippi, he erected a fort, and called it Jefferson, in 
honor of the then Governor of Virginia. It was 
neglected to obtain the consent of the Indians for 
the erection of the fort, as the Governor of Vir- 
ginia had re(|uested. This neglect proved to be a 
great calamity. Clark encouraged immigration 
to the fort, and promised the setders lands. 
Captain Piggot and many others followed his 
standard. 

The fort being established, Gentn-al Clark was 
called away to the frontiers of Kentucky, and left 
the fort for its protection in the hands of Captain 
Pieeot, and the soldiers and citizens under him. 

Capitain Piggot was a native of Connecticut, 
and engaged in the privateering service in the 



Revolutionary war. He was in danger of assas- 
sination by the enemy in his native State, and 
emigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 
He was appointed captain of a company in the 
Revolution by the Legislature of his adopted 
State, and served under Generals St. Clair and 
Washington. He was in the battles of Brandy- 
wine, Saratoga, and marched to Canada. By 
severe marches and hard service, his health was 
impaired so that he was forced to resign his cap- 
taincy, and with his family, he left his residence 
in Westmoreland county and came west with 
General Clark. 

Several families settled in the vicinity ot Fort 
Jefferson, and some in it ; but all attempted to 
cultivate the soil to some extent for a living. 

The Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians became 
angry for the encroachments of the whites, and in 
August, 1 781, commenced an attack on the 
settlements arour:d the fort. The whole number of 
warriors must have been ten or twelve hundred, 
headed by the celebrated Scotchman Colbert, 
whose posterity figured as half-breeds. These 
tribes commenced hostilities on the settlements 
around the fort. The Indians came first in small 
parties, which saved many of the inhabitants. If 
they had reached the settlement in a body, the 
whole white population outside of the tort would 
have been destroyed. 

As soon as the preparation for the attack of 
the Indians on the fort was certainly known, a 



- 82- 

trusty messenger was dispatched to the Falls of 
the Ohio, as it was called at that day and for years 
afterwards, for more provisions and ammunition. 
If support did not arrive in time, the small settle- 
ments and garrison would be destroyed, and it 
was extremely uncertain if succor would reach 
the fort in time. 

The settlement and fort were in the greatest 
distress ; almost starving, no ammunition, and 
such ereat distance Irom the settlements at Kas- 
kaskia and the Falls. 

The first parties of Indians killed many of the 
nhabitants before they could be moved to the 
fort, and there were great danger and distress 
in marchincr them into it. Also the sickness pre- 
vailed to such an extent, that more than half were 
down sick at the time. The famine was so dis- 
tressing, that it was said they had to eat the 
pumpkins as soon as the blossoms fell oft the 
vines. This Indian marauding and murdering 
private persons, and families, lasted almost two 
weeks before the main army of Indian warriors 
reached the fort. The soldiers aided and receiv- 
ed in the fort ail the white population that could 
be moved. 

The whole family of Mr. Music, except him- 
self, was killed and inhumanely butchered by the 
enemy. Many other persons were also killed. 

In the skirmishes a white man was taken pris- 
oner, who was compelled, to save his life, to re- 
port l/ie true stale oj tJie garrison. This inform- 



-83- 

ation added fury to the already heated passions 
of the savages. 

After the arrival of the warriors, with Colbert 
at their head, they besieged the fort for six days 
and niehts. Durincr this time no one can describe 
the misery and distress the garrison was doomed 
to suffer. The water had almost given out. The 
river was fallincr fast, and the water in the wells 
sank with the river. Scarcely any provisions re- 
mained, and the sickness raged so in the fort, 
that many could not be stirred from the beds. 
The wife of Captain Piggot, and some others, 
died in the fort, and were buried inside ot the 
walls, while the Indians besieged the outside. If 
no relief came, the garrison would inevitably fall 
into the hands of the Indians and be murdered. 

It was agreed by the Indians with the white 
prisoner, that if he told the truth, they would 
spare his life. He told them truly, that more 
than half in the fort were sick — that each man had 
not more than three rounds of ammunition, and 
that scarcely any provisions were in the garrison. 
On receiving this information, the whole Indian 
army retired about two miles, to hold a council. 
They sent back Colbert and three chiefs with a 
flag of truce to the fort. 

When the whites discovered the white flag, 
they sent out Captain Piggot, M. Owens, and one 
other man, to meet the Indian delegation. This 
was done for fear the enemy would know the 
desperate condition of the fort. The parley 



-84- 

was conducted under the range of the guns of 
the garrison. 

Colbert informed them that they were sent to 
demand a surrender of the fort at discretion ; that 
they knew the defenseless condition of the fort, 
and to surrender it might save much bloodshed. 
He further said : that they had sent a great force 
of warriors up the river to intercept the succor for 
which the whites had sent a messenger. This 
the prisoner had told them. Colbert promised he 
would do his best to save the lives of the prison- 
ers, all if they would surrender, except a few, 
whom the Indians had determined to kill. He 
said, the Indians are pressing for the spoils, and 
would not wait long-. He eave the garrison one 

o o o 

hour for a decision. 

On receiving this information, the garrison 
had an awful and gloomy scene presented to them. 
One person exclaimed : " Great God direct us 
what to do in this terrible crisis ! 

After mature deliberation, Piggot, and the 
other delegates were instructed to say, that 
nothing would be said, as to the information 
received from the prisoner. If we deny his state- 
ments, you may kill him — we cannot confide in 
your promises to protect us ; but we will promise, 
If the Indians will leave the country, the garrison 
will abandon the fort and the country as soon as 
possible. Colbi^rt agreed to submit this proposi- 
tion in council to the warriors. But on retiring, 
Mr. Music, whose family was murdered, and an- 



- 85 - 

other man, shot at Colbert, and a ball wounded 
him. This outrage was gready condemned by 
the earrison. and the two transgressors were 

o ■-> 

taken into custody. The wound of Colbert was 
dressed, and he i^uarded safely to the Indians. 

The warriors remained long in council, and by 
a kind providential act, the long wished for suc- 
cor did arrive in safety from the " Falls." 

The Indians had struck the river too high up, 
thereby the boat with the supplies escaped. The 
provisions and men were hurried into the fort, 
and preparations were made to resist a night 
attack by the warriors. 

Every preparation that could be made for the 
defense of the fort was accomplished. The sick 
and small cbildren were placed out o( tne way of 
the combatants, and all the women and children of 
any size were instructed in the art ot dctense. 
The warriors, shortly after dark, thought they 
could steal on the fort and capture it ; but when 
they were frustrated, they with hideous yells 
and loud, savage demonstrations, assaulted the 
garrison, and attempted to storm it. The cannon 
had been placed in proper position to rake the 
walls, and when the warriors mounted the ram- 
parts, the cannon swept them off in heaps. The 
enemy kept up a stream of fire from their rifles 
on the crarrison, which did not much e.xecution. 
In this manner the battle raged for hours; but at 
last the enemy were forced to recoil, and withdrew 
from the deadly cannon of the fort. Colbert and 



86 



other chiefs again urged the warriors to the 
charge ; but the same result to retire was forced 
on them again. Men and women on that day- 
were sokhers by instinct. It seemed they could 
not be otherwise. 

The greatest danger was for fear the fort would 
be set on fire. A large dauntless Indian, painted 
for the occasion, by some means got on the top 
of one of the block houses, and was applying fire 
to the roof. A white soldier, of equal courage, 
went out of the block house and shot the Indian, 
as he was blowing the fire to the building. The 
Indian fell dead on the outside of the fort and 
was packed off by his comrades. 

After a large and arduous battle, the Indians 
withdrew from the fort. They w^ere satisfied ; 
they had attacked the garrison, and they could 
not storm it. They packed off all the dead and 
wounded. Many were killed and wounded of the 
Indians, as much blood was discovered in the 
morning around the fort. Several of the whites 
were also wounded, but not mortally. This was 
one of the most desperate assaults made by the 
Indians in the West, on a garrison so weak and 
distressed and defenseless. 

'I he whites were rejoiced at their success, and 
made preparations to abandon the j)remises with 
all convenient speed. 

The citizen soldiers at b'ort Jefferson, all aban- 
doned the fort ; and some wended their way to 



-87- 

Kaskaskia, and others to the Falls. Captain Pig- 
got, with many oi his brave companions, arrived 
at Kaskaskia, and remained there some years. 

This flood of brave and enero-etic emiorants, 
so early as the year 1781, was the first consider- 
able acquisition of American population Illinois 
received. Many of the most worthy and respect- 
able families of Illinois can trace back their line- 
age to this illustrious and noble ancestry, and 
can say, with pride and honor, that their fore- 
fathers fought in the Revolution to conquer the 
Valley of the Mississippi. 

About the year 1783, Captain Piggot establish- 
ed a fort not far from the bluff in the American 
Bottom, west of the present town of Columbia, 
in Monroe county, which was called Piggot's Fort, 
or the Fort of the "Grand Ruisseau." This was 
the largest fortification erected by the Americans 
in Illinois, and at that day was well defended 
with cannon and small arms. In 1790, Captain 
Piggot and forty-five other inhabitants at this fort, 
sometimes called Big Run in English, signed a 
petition to Governor St. Clair, praying for grants 
of land to the settlers. It is stated in that petition, 
that there were seventeen families in the Fort. 

I presume it was on this petition that the Act 
of Congress was passed granting to every setder 
on the public land in Illinois four hundred acres 
and a militia donation of one hundred acres to 
each man enrolled in the militia service of that 
year. 



- 88 - 

Governor St. Clair knew the character of 
Captain Piggot in the army of the Revohition, 
and appointed him the presiding Judge of the 
Court of St. Clair county. 

Captain Piggot, in the year 1795, established 
the first ferry across the Mississippi, opposite 
St. Louis, Mo., known now as Wiggin's ferry ; 
and Governor Irudeau, ol Louisiana, gave him 
license for a ferry and to land on the west bank 
of the river in St. Louis, with the privilege to 
collect the ferriage. He died at the ferry, oppo- 
site St. Louis, in the year 1 799, after having 
spent and active and eventful life in the Revo- 
lution, and in the conquest and early settlement 
of the West. 



89 



PART VI. 

I. — THE ST. GENEVIEVE DISTRICT. 
HISTORY OF ST. GENEVIEVE. 



Le Vieux Viixage. 

Previous to the settlement of Le vieux village 
de Ste-GeJievieve, Francis Renault, of France, 
Agent of the "Company of the West," estab- 
lished himself near Fort Chartres, Illinois, with 
his two hundred miners and five hundred slaves 
in the year 1720. Immediately he crossed the 
Mississippi river, and overrun the district of St. 
Genevieve, with his miners, and slaves, and com- 
menced mining for precious metals, succeeding 
only in discovering lead mines, and to this day 
can be seen the marks and diggings, over this 
whole district, of his exploring and mining opera- 
tions, 

Renault's only success was the smelting of 
lad, which was conveyed to Fort Chartres on 
pack horses until 1735. 



90- 



St. Genevieve District. 

This original district under the French and 
Spaniards, was bounded north by the Merrimac 
river; south by the Riviere a la Pomme (Apple 
creek) ; east by the Mississippi and fronting same 
one hundred miles ; west, never designated. 
The same district was again re-established by 
Governor William Harrison, when Governor of 
Indiana Territory, by proclamation of October 
I St, 1804. This district possesses agricultural 
resources and mineral wealth unsurpassed in any 
country in the world. The first mining opera- 
tion in Upper Louisiana, was by Sieur de Lo- 
chan, on the Merrimac river, below St. Louis; 
the said mine, was worked under the care ot a 
Spaniard, named Antonio, and by La Renau- 
diere under Renault. Francis Renault, the agent 
of the "Company of the West," left France in 
I 719, under the auspices of that company with 
two hundred miners provided with mining tools. 
On his passage to New Orleans he touched at St. 
Domingo, were he purchased five hundred slaves. 
He then proceeded to Kaskaskia and Fort Char- 
tres for tlie purpose of mining in Illinois ami 
Missouri. 

In 1720, near Fort Chartres, Renault built the 
village of St. Philip. He then crossed the Mis- 
sissippi, and discovered the lead mines ot Potosi, 
now Washington county, which yet bear the 



- 9i - 

name of Renault Mines. He afterwards returned 
to France in 1742. Durin^r this period in 1720 
Mine Lamotte was discovered by Lamotte, one 
of the agents of Renault : these mines are situ- 
ated on the St. Francis river, now Madison 
county, in the State of Missouri. Another large 
lead field, called " Mine a Breton," near Potosi, 
was discovered by Asa Breton in the year 1763. 
Breton was a native of France, and born in the 
vear 1710, and served in the armies of France. 
He emigrated to this country in early times. In 
the year 1755 he took part in the defeat of Brad- 
dock's troops, at Fort Duquesne, now Pittts- 
burgh. Breton came to Upper Louisiana, now 
Missouri, and became a hunter and miner. Whilst 
hunting' he discovered the " Breton Mines." 
When advanced to a great age, he lived with the 
Micheau family, at Little Rock Ferry, two miles 
above the then town of St. Genevieve. Breton 
was a man of ro1)ust constitution, and of great 
activity. Li his old age, he would walk to the 
church regularly every Sabbath day to St. Gene- 
vieve. He died March Tst 182 i, and was buried 
in the Catholic cemetery, at St. Genevieve, by 
Reverend Father Henry Pratte, parish priest. He 
lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred 
and eleven years. 

Moses Austin, an American from Virginia, but 
a native of Connecticut, he was fortunate in 
1797 in obtaining a grant of land from the Span- 
ish government, which tract embraced part of the 



" Breton Mines," containing one league, upon 
which he sunk several shafts, and erected the 
first reverbatory furnace for the smelting of lead, 
at Potosi, Missouri. Austin made to the United 
States Government a valuable report of the Mis- 
souri lead mines, February 13. 1804, showing the 
immense lead fields in Upper Louisiana. 

We are further indebted to Professor School- 
craft for his report on these mines in the year 
1819; also to the Geological survey of the State 
of Missouri, conducted by scientific men. The 
lead from these mines was first taken to Fort 
Chartres on pack horses ; afterwards to St. Gen- 
evieve in the old French carts, and then shipped 
to New Orleans and on the Ohio river in flat and 
keel boats. 

Iron Mountain. 



During these early lead discoveries, in the 
midst of a vast wilderness, there stood 42 miles 
west of St. Genevieve, now Missouri, the most 
extraordinary and immense deposit of iron ores 
tliat the world ever produced, known as " Iron 
Mountain" and " Pilot Knob," with its adjacent 
iron deposits. The original height of the Iron 
Mountain was 228 feet above the valley, its base 
covered an area of 500 acres of land, its shape was 
of a conical character. The Pilot Knob, lying 



- 93 - 

six miles south of the Iron Mountain, had an 
elevation of 440 feet above its base, covered an 
area of 553 acres. It rises like a pyramid to the 
clouds. 

The Iron Mountain was an original grant by 
the Spaniards to the Francis Valle heirs, contain- 
ing twenty-four thousand acres of land, which was 
confirmed to Joseph Pratte by Congress July 4, 
1836. The " Pilot Knob"was public land belong- 
ing to the U. S. Government, and was after- 
wards entered as such by Livingston Van Doren, 
Henry Pease, and J. D. Peers in the year 1836. 
These last parties named purchased the Iron 
Mountain property and formed a corporation of 
these two valuable properties, known as the " Mis- 
souri Iron Company," by an act of the Missouri 
Legislature of Dec, 31st, 1836, with a capital of 
five millions of dollars, contemplating the erec- 
tion of iron furnaces, and the project of a railroad 
from these iron deposits to the Mississippi river. 
Notwithstanding these flattering prospects of suc- 
cess by this " Missouri Iron Company," it failed 
in its projects. 

Other parties after this organized a corporation 
of the Pilot Knob and Sheppard TVlountain in a 
company known as the " Madison Iron and Min- 
ing Company," established in November, 1843, 
under the management of Hon. Conrad C. Zieg- 
ler and Evariste Pratte. 

The Iron Mountain was organized in a separ- 
ate company under the style of " American Iron 



-94- 

Company," in the year 1845. ^^ was composed 
of Pierre Chouteau, FeHx Valle, James Harrison, 
C. C. Ziegler, John P. Scott, August Belmont, 
Samuel Ward and Evariste Pratte. 

These iron deposits remained unproductive and 
unworked until 1845 ^^ Iron Mountain and 1847 
at Pilot Knob, when at these two periods a large 
force was used to mine these iron ores. Mr. 
Featherstonbaugh's geologist report to Congress 
in 1836 stated, " There was a single locality of 
iron offering all the resources of Sweden, and of 
which it was impossible to estimate the value by 
any other terms than of a nation's want." Mr. 
C. A. Zietz, of New York, with large experience 
in iron works, in the year 1837 stated that the 
iron ores of these mountains bear 70 per cent., 
being of the best quality. It is readily wrought 
into good bar iron or steel from the native ore in 
a common blacksmith fire ; and that, horseshoes, 
knife blades and hatchets of this ore are frequent- 
ly made in common blacksmith shops ; that they 
are the best ores that he saw in Europe. The 
opinions of Professors SchoolcraJt, Sheppard ;uid 
Nicolet all point out the great value ot this extra- 
ordinary deposit of iron, which is confirmed by 
the geological survey made by the State of Mis- 
souri. 

Ihe first shipment in Missouri of iron trom 
Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob to St. Genevieve 
over the plank road was in 1853. 



'95 - 

Comparative Table. 



Pig metal shipped : 

Up Ohio River - . - - 2.li9tons. 

To St. Louis ----- 1. 317 tons. 



'I'otal 3 436 tons 
Blooms shipped : 

Up Ohio River - - 1 1 097 pieces, 1.313,857 lbs. 

To St. Louis - - 4,oS9 pieces, 691.9231118. 

Total 2 005. 7S0 lbs. 
Left at St. Genevieve for shipment : 

Pig metal ----- 3,000 tons. 

Blooms ------ 400 tons. 



Great increase of mineral wealth in Missouri in 1874— disposed annually 
in St Louis : 

Lead - - . - . - $3,000,000. 

Iron ------- 3.C0C.000. 

Coal ------ 1,000,000. 

Fire Clay - - - - - - 500,000. 

Spelter and Zinc ores . - - - 500,000. 

Cobalt and Nickel ----- 100.000. 

Kaolin. Ochres and other Minerals - - 400,000. 

Granite and Sandstones . - - - 500.000. 



The annual mineral wealth of Missouri then 
aororeeated about ten millions of dollars. 

Around these iron deposits lay large o-ranite 
fields, one known as "Granite Mountain," south- 
west of " Iron Mountain " : also the " Syenitic 
Granite" lying east of " Pilot Knob." South- 
west of Pilot Knob exists a valuable marble quar- 
ry. Throughout this old St. Genevieve district 
exist large quantities of building materials, and 
minerals of various kinds. 



-96- 

Miners and other explorers settled in this dis- 
trict, valuables mines were excavated by them, 
and now bear their names. Within a circle of fifty 
miles from the town of St. Genevieve, no country 
presented such mineral wealth. The town of St. 
Genevieve from the earliest times (1735 to 1855) 
was the only prominent depot for all the minerals 
of Upper Louisiana. When we examine the sta- 
tistics of the mineral fields of the world, we find 
there is no part of the globe, except the St. 
Genevieve district, embracing such varieties and 
abundance of minerals and building materials. 
In the old world, they find minerals buried 
beneath the ground, while here how difi"erent the 
scene presented to the vision of mortal man ! 
We see vast regions of minerals rising from the 
earth, forming mountains and pyramids, kissing 
the rising sun and brilliantly glowing in their 
crystal-like clusters. 



The Old Town of St. Genevieve. 



The original St. Genevieve was known by the 
the name of " Le vieux Village," — the old 
town ; was located about three miles south of the 
present St. Genevieve, in what is known as " Le 
Grand Champ" — the big field, and was settled in 
the year 1735, being the oldest settlement in for- 
mer Upper Louisiana, a portion of which is now 



- 97 - 

Missouri, west of the Mississippi river. The old 
town was abandoned in 1785, on account of the 
great flood of the Feather of Waters during 
that year, and known among its inhabitants as 
" I'annee des grandes eaux" (the year oi the 
great waters), which destroyed all the settlements 
and the improvements in the lowlands of the 
valley in its mighty sweep to the gulf. Origin- 
ally, this "Le Grand Champ" contained about 
four thousand arpents of land, all under one fence, 
and cultivated in common by the inhabitants, but 
now diminished to three thousand arpents by the 
encroachments of the river. ' ' Le Grand Champ" 
(the big field) is one of the most beautiful and 
fertile bottoms of land on the face of the globe, 
and is every year decorated by the richest prolu- 
sion of products which furnishes most of the 
necessities of life to the inhabitants of St. Gene- 
vieve, and also gives employment to a great num- 
ber of its citizens in the cultivation of its rich and 
inexhaustible soil. 

The present city of St. Genevieve is beauti- 
fully located on the verdant banks of the grand 
Mississippi, about sixty miles below the future 
great city of the world — St. Louis ; and sits in 
beauty amid surrounding and smiling hills. The 
city of St. Genevieve was first settled by French 
emigration in 1785, as before stated, by the in- 
habitants of 'Te Vieux Village de Sainte-Gene- 
vieve," (the old village of St. Genevieve), Caho- 
kia, Kaskaskia, Fort Chartres, and other settle- 



-98- 

ments of Illinois, on account of the great flood of 
that year, which induced them to seek safety 
here against calamities of that character in the 
future. The overflow of the Mississippi in the 
year 1785 has never been equaled since this fear- 
ful waste of waters, for the valley was one vast 
sea from bluft" to bluff, and presented a sight 
never to be forgotten by the many to which it 
brought destruction. 

The original settlers of "Le vieux village" and 
of the present city of St. Genevieve were : Fran- 
cois Valle, commandant of the post ; Jean-Bap- 
tiste Valle, Sr., the last conmiandant of the post; 
Joseph Loisel, Jean-Baptiste Maurice, Francois 
Maurice, Francois Coleman, Jacques Boyer, 
Henri Maurice, Parfait Dufour, Joseph Bequette, 
Jean-Baptiste Thomure, Joseph Govreau, Louis 
Bolduc, Jean-Baptiste St. Gemme, Laurent Ga- 
b^ury, Jean Beauvais, B. N. Janis, and J. B. T. 
Pratte and others. These persons were all 
remarkable for their strong constitution, simpli- 
city of manners, honesty of purpose, and hospi- 
tality ; endowed naturally with good minds with- 
out the advantages of an education, they were 
free from ostentation and excess of j^leasures ex- 
cept such as were of an innocent character. 
Their dress was remarkably plain : they wore 
heavy coton or gingham pants, without the sup- 
port of suspenders, but fastened by a belt and 
clasp around the waist ; without vests ; a blue or 
colored skirt, a white Mackinaw blanket with a 



- 99 - 

" capuchon," and moccassin shoes, completed 
the toilet of the citizens of early St. Genevieve. 
The apparel of the women of those days was sim- 
plicity itself, and would cause a smile from our 
fair ones could it be seen to-day They wore a 
cotton or calico dress ; their shoulders and breast 
ornamented with a mantlet ; neck adorned with a 
rich Madras handkerchief, and their feet encased 
in beautitul mocassin shoes. Those of advanced 
age of both sexes wore a blue or Madras hand- 
kerchief, which encircled their heads. 

The occupations of the patriarchs of St. Gene- 
vieve were as cultivators of the soil and voyagers 
with barges and keel-boats to the city of New 
Orleans, and traders of goods for furs, peltries 
and lead, the latter being the money of the 
country. They encountered many privations, 
and passed through the ordeal of many romantic 
adventures of a savage life, and well deserved the 
appellation of the "pioneers of the West." 

The inhabitants were of a happy and contented 
disposition and much attached to each other. The 
family government was of a patriarclial char- 
acter, and respect, obedience, and love, were 
highly prized and greatly practiced, and truly can 
it be said of them that "they were a l)and of 
brothers." But a few years ago one of those 
patriarchs could be seen in the city of St. Gene- 
vieve leaning on the staff of old age with ease 
and grace, his head bleached with the snows of 
nearly a hundred years. This remarkable man was 



- lOO - 

Jean-Baptiste Valle, Sr., the last commandant of 
the post of St. Genevieve. His wife also lived 
to an old age, loved and venerated by all. Some 
years previous to their death, and in accordance 
with an old French custom, they were remarried 
after a half century's enjoyment of marriage life. 
It was a grand and imposing ceremony to see 
this venerable couple renewing the first vows of 
their early affection and love. 



The Indians. 



The Indians who inhabited the immediate vi- 
cinity of the town of St. Genevieve at the time of 
its early settlement were a tribe of Peorias en- 
camped south of the town along the bluffs that 
front the "big field." They were the remnants 
of a warlike tribe of the Illinois, and warm friends 
and strongly attached to the French inhabitants, 
who afterwards protected them from the neigh- 
boring Indians and marauders. In the district of 
St. Genevieve during the occupation of the French 
and Spanish government there were many Indian 
villages. One they called Le Grand Village Sau- 
vage (the big Indian village), named by the In- 
dians Challecathe, was south of St. Genevieve, 
and contained about 500 inhabitants, and was 
built on what is called La Petite Riviere a la 




THE SISTER OF TECUMSEH. 



- lOI - 

Ponime (or Apple creek), and now lies within the 
borders of Perry county. This village was loca- 
ted on the north of the creek and occupied by a 
tribe called Chawanons. They were industrious 
and brave. Their cabiiis were constructed of 
solid logs, and well cemented with a greasy dirt 
and other materials which effectually protected 
them from the inclemency of the weather. They 
possessed many horses, keeping a large number 
of them on hand in case of attack by other war- 
like bands ot savages who roamed through the 
country. The Chawanons were a tall, finely de- 
veloped and robust-lookir:g people. Their women 
were pretty and exceedingly swift of foot, and in 
dress were decorated with the most brilliant feath- 
ers, silver trinkets, &c. They cultivated corn 
and other products of the field, and were far more 
civilized than the generality of the other Indian 
tribes in Upper Louisiana. They worshiped the 
Great Spirit, and believed that after death an 
abundance of all earthly things awaited them 
beyond the dark river. 

The sister of the great Indian chief Tecumseh 
resided there. She was remarkable for her beauty 
and intelligence, and whilst on a visit to some 
neighboring tribes at New Madrid, Missouri, be- 
came acquainted with and enamoured of a French 
Creole by the name of Francois Maisonville, and 
shortly afterwards they were married according 
to Indian custom. Tecumseh, having visited 
Upper Louisiana immediately after the marriage 



- I02 - 

for the purpose of exciting- the various tribes to 
war, heard of it and became fierce and indio^nant, 
and forced his sister to return to Apple Creek 
villao-e, where she remained for some time, but 
soon returned to her husband after Tecumseh 
left. They resided many years in New Madrid 
and raised a large family. Some of their descen- 
dants are now livino- there. 

The Chawanons had two great feasts yearly — 
the first in the spring when sowing their grain, 
which they called " Le Feu Nouveau " ( the new 
fire) ; the second when the corn changed color, 
" Fete du petit ble " ( the feast of small wheat). 
This remarkable tribe of Indians, after the change 
of government by which the country passed into 
the hands of the United States, folded their tents 
and left for the far West, and have passed from 
history as a tribe, having been absorbed into some 
of the many tribes on our Western frontier. 



A Letter from the Spanish Governor. 



The letter of the Spanish Governor, Manuel 
Gayoso, of Louisiana, to the Chawanons, is so full 
of kindness and wisdom, that I here insert it : 



- I03 - 

"Don Manuel Gayoso de Lamos, Brigadier de las Real 
Exercitos, Gobernador General, Vice Patrono Real 
de las Provincias de la Louisiana, y Florida Occiden- 
tal, Inspector de las Tropas Veteranas y Milicias de 
ellas — 

/h/A- Chefs et homines cousiden's de la Nation des Chaw- 
anons, nsidant dans le Territoire de S. M. C. des 
Illinois : 

Mes Chers Enfants : J'ai re<^u la parole que vous 
m'avez envoyt'e par les gens de votre nation, qui sont 
descendus ici ; je les ai vus avec beaucoup de plaisir, 
parce que j'aime votre nation. 

Je vois que vous vous souVv^nez de moi, que vous sui- 
vez toujours la voie du bon sens, et que vous etes dis- 
poses a profiter des bons conseils. 

Oui mes enfants, je vous cheris, et je vous distingue 
parmi ceux qui ne font que courir, perdant leur temps, 
et ecoutant qui les detourne du chemin de leur chasse, 
et de leur labourage, et de la paix ; mais je suis bien 
aise que mes enfants les Chawanons, ne soient pas de 
meme. 

Je suis bien aise de les voir parmi mes enfants blancs, 
et faire leurs champs ensemble. J'ai donne mes ordres 
au Lieutenant-Gouverneur des Illinois pour qu'il vous 
regarde avec tendresse, et vous traite comme des blancs, 
puisque vous vous conduisez comire eux. Malgre que 
j'aie dit tout ceci, a vos gens ici, je le mets par ecrit, 
pour que cela ne s'oublie pas. 

Mes cners enfans, que le soleil brille toujours sur 
vous ; puissiez-vous faire une bonne chasse ; que votre 
feu soit toujours allume, et que vos chemins soient 
toujours blancs et unis. 

A la Nouvelle-Orleans ce 17 May 1799. 

Manuel Gayoso de Lamos. 



- I04 - 

[translation.] 
Don Manuel Gayoso de Lamos, Brigadier of the Royal 
Service, Governor General, Royal Vice-Regent of 
the Provinces of Louisiana and Western Florida, In- 
spector of Veteran and Militia forces of the sj.me : 
To the Chiefs and notable men of the CJiaivanon Nation, 
residents of the Territory of Her C. M. of the Illinois : 
My Dear Children: I have received the talk which 
you have sent me through the people of your Nation, 
who have come down here ; I have seen them with much 
pleasure, for I love your Nation. 

I see that you remember me, and that you still follow 
the path of good sense, and that you are disposed to 
profit liy good counsels. 

Yes, my children, I cherish you, and I set you apart 
from those who are roving, squandering their time, and 
listening to whoever turns them away from their hunt- 
ing paths, and from their plowings, and from peace ; 
but I am much pleased that my children the Chawanons 
are not so. 

I am very glad to see them among my white children, 
tilling their fields together. 

I have given my orders to the Lieut. -Governor of Il- 
linois, that he should regard you with tenderness, and 
should treat you the same as white men, since you be- 
have like them. 

Although I have said all this, to your people here, I 
put it in writing so that it shall not be forgotten 

My dear children : Ma}' the sun ever shine on you ; 
may you have a profitable hunt ; ma)- your fire never 
go out ; and may your [)atbs be always white and 
smooth. 

In New Orleans, the 17th of May, 1779. 

Manuel Gayoso de La:\ios. 



- I05 - 



Reminiscences of Upper Louisiana. 



After the delivery of the territory of IlHnois 
east of the Mississippi by France to England, in 
1765, the French inhabitants of Kaskaskia, Fort 
Chartres, Prairie du Rocher and Kahokia, began 
to remove to St. Louis and St. Genevieve, owing 
to their great aversion to living under the English 
flag. They were at the time, under the impres- 
sion that the territory west of the Mississippi yet 
belonged to France. Hence St. Ange de Belle 
Rive, a French officer, after the delivery of Fort 
Chartres to the English, assumed command of the 
post of St. L'Hiis in the latter part of 1765, and 
exercised civil and military authority until Spain 
took actual possession of Louisiana in 1 769- 
Whilst St. Ange was acting as commandant of 
St. Louis, the post of St. Genevieve was placed 
under the command of Chevalier Rocheblave, 
both of these officers acting under the French 
flag. During this short period of five years the 
French inhabitants claimed Upper Louisiana and 
owed allegiance to France, notwithstanding the 
cession of F" ranee to Spain. 

The first legal proceedings of record at St. Gen- 
evieve w^as under Commandant Rocheblave, on 
the i6th of May, 1766, which records and pro- 
ceedings were kept by M. Robinet, notary and 



- io6 - 

greffier. Both of these officers exercised their 
official duties from May i6, 1766, to November 
22, 1769, when possession of Upper Louisiana 
was given to his Cathohc majesty of Spain, 

St. Genevieve, though settled as early as 1735, 
had no regular courts or officers until the i6th of 
May, I 766, when Rocheblave took command of 
the post. 



The First Marriage Contract. 



The first legal proceedings under Rocheblave 
being on the 19th of May, i 766, in relation to a 
marriage contract between Pierre Roy and Jean- 
nette Lalonde ; then follows the second sale of land 
between individuals. The first sale of k-nd was 
made by Pierre Aritfone to Henri Carpentier, one 
by Joseph Le Don to LePebre du Couquette, and 
one lot containing one and one-half arpents by 
Guillaume Derouselle to Francois Valle ; also the 
sale of salt works on the Saline river, with ten 
negroes and a lot of cattle, by John Lagrange to 
one Blowin. \n the year 1767 Andre Vignon 
takes an appeal from the decision of Commandant 
Rocheblave to the supreme council of New 
Orleans. Then follow other proceedings to No- 
vember 22, 1769. 

The Spaniards on the last day and year took 



- I07 - 

possession, at St, Ger.evieve, of Upper Louisia- 
na, when Joseph Labruxiere assumed in the name 
of Spain, the functions of judge of the post of 
" Ihinois," and appointed at the same time and 
place Cabazie, as notary and greffier. These 
two officers acted in these capacities until Don 
Francois Valle, pere, was made Commandant of 
the post of St. Genevieve by the Spanish govern- 
ment. Valle assumed his office early in the year 
1770, and acted in that capacity until September 
1783. Commandant Don Francois Valle, pere, 
died at the old town of St. Genevieve, in the 
"big field of St. Genevieve," September 23, 
1783, being then sixty-eight years of age. He 
was succeeded in office by Don Francisco Carta- 
bona de Oro, Don Henri Peroux, and by Don 
Francois Valle, fils : the two Valles, father and 
son, acting most of the time from 1770 to 1804. 
Don Fran(;ois Valle, fils, died in the city of Saint 
Genevieve on the sixth day of March, 1804, only 
four days before Captain Stoddard took posses- 
sion of Upper Louisiana at St. Louis. Com- 
mandant Valle, fils, was buried under his pew in 
the old Catholic church at the city of St. Gene- 
vieve. 

At the death of Don Francis Valle fils, he was 
succeeded by his brother, Don Jean-Baptiste 
Valle, who was reappointed by Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Amos Stoddard from March 10, 1804 to 
October, 1804, with the power of a Spanish Com- 
mander,, for the post of St. Genevieve. 



- io8 - 

Governor Delassiis, on the i 7th of February, 
1804, ordered Commandant Valle, to have Pas- 
chill Detchmendy's claim (in what is now Wash- 
ington county, Missouri,) to be surveyed by Mr. 
Maddin, deputy surveyor under Antoine Soulard, 
the then surveyor under the Spaniards. But 
some inhabitants armed themselves to prevent 
this survey, and threatened harm to any person, 
who attempted it. Governor Delassus, after the 
change of government, requested Lieutenant- 
Governor Stoddard to enforce this order on tlie 
30th of March 1804, but the latter declined to 
do so, for the reason that it took place under 
the Spanish regime, that the United States could 
not act in this matter. 



Important Order of Gov. Delassus. 



On the loth of August, 1804, Governor De- 
lassus re(juested and ordered Commandant Valle. 
as j)er order of the Mar(]uis Casa Calvo, to de- 
liver to hini the (iovernment correspondence of 
the Spaniards {at all posts of Upper Louisiana) 
that had no relation to suits, deeds, grants of land, 
or with indixidual fortunes and interest of the in- 
habitants. He also demanded an inventory of 
thos(> })ajjers alread\- delivered to the United 



- I09 - 

States ; to return to him all correspondence of a 
public nature belono^ino^ to Spain, accordinor to 
stipulations between France and the United 
States ; also to deliver to him the four cannons, 
at St. Genevieve, belongintr to Spain. This 
order virtually deprived the historian of the 
history of the policy and motives of the public 
acts of Spain and France during their dominion 
in America. 

Governor Dehault Delassus left St. Louis in 
October, 1804, for New Orleans, with his sol- 
diers, and ammunitions of war which were not 
included in the sale of the Louisiana Territory. 

The Spanish commanders exercised these 
offices with leniency, moderation, and justice. 
Commandant Don Valle, fils, the last Spanish 
commander at St. Genevieve, resided on what 
is known as South Gabori creek. His house 
was a large one-story frame building, with 
wide galleries and porches. The commandant 
was judge of all civil and criminal matters, and 
was military commandant of the post. His 
decision was law, and had to be obeyed. As 
a precaution and punishment, when criminals 
were charged with any crime they were exhib- 
ited before the inhabitants every Sunday in 
front of the Catholic church after divine service, 
that they might l)e known and recognized by 
the whole communit)-. 



no - 



The Military 



At an early period, being in the year 1 780, 
known as " L'Annee du Coup" (the year of 
the blow), the inhabitants of " Le Vieux Village 
de Ste. Genevieve" were called upon to defend 
St. Louis, which was then threatened to be 
attacked by the English and different tribes of 
Indians. Sylvio F'rancisco Cartabona, a gov- 
ernment officer, was ordered to St. Genevieve 
by Don Ferdinand Leyba, the Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor of the post of St. Louis, to enlist a com- 
pany of militiamen for the protection of St. 
Louis. A company numbering sixty men was 
soon raised under the command of Captain 
Charles Valle, brother of the commandant of 
the post of St. Cienevieve, and immediately left 
in a keel-boat for St. Louis, where they were 
stationed, or quartered, in a house south of the 
cathedral church. Lieutenant-Governor Leylxi 
did not furnish them with ammunition, which 
they were destitute of. This caused much dis- 
appointment and mortification to the gallant 
men who had left their homes for the purpc:)se 
of defending their friends in St. Louis. Little 
did the St. Genevieve company think at the 
time that the Lieutenant-Governor of St. Louis 



- Ill - 

was in bad faith toward them and the town of 
St. Louis, but thinors and actions afterwards 
proved it and placed the St. Genevieve company 
in a false position, as they had partly to obey 
orders under the military despotism of Spain, 
which was most reputrnant to their feelings. 

Previous to the attack on St. Louis, an old 
man by the name of Gronelle had warned the offi- 
cers of the post that an attack would be made, for 
which he was treated with contempt and sent to 
prison. About the time of the attack upon St. 
Louis, the captain of the St. Genevieve company, 
seeing that he was deprived of powder by Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Don Leyba, sent five men to 
take three kegs of powder which an old lady resi- 
dent of the town had at the time, but did not wish 
to deliver up, insisting that they should do her no 
harm if she refused to give it up. They, how- 
ever, conveyed the powder to headquarters. 
Captain Valle at this time seeing the treachery of 
the Lieutenant-Governor, determined not to obey 
orders. 

While Captain Valle was temporarily absent 
from his headquarters, Leyba ordered the com- 
pany to march up into a garret and to spike their 
guns, and some of the men had partly obeyed the 
order, and it was about being executed by the 
whole company when the brave captain of the St. 
Genevieve company came up, and at once per- 
ceiving the treacherous intent of the order, re- 
fused and said, " Que son poste est pres de son 



- 112 - 

canon et non dans un grenier, et que si rennemi 
venait, il serait pret a se defendre," (that his post 
was near his cannon and not in a garret ; if the 
enemy came that he would be ready to defend 
himself,) and standing to his post he ordered his 
men to stand by him, and did all he could under 
the circumstances to aid the citizens of St. Louis 
when that post was attacked by the enemy. 

It is a well-known fact that Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor Leyba acted in bad faith and was despised by 
all the inhabitants of St. Louis and St. Gene- 
vieve on account of his treacherous conduct, and 
feeling conscious of his own foul acts died shortly 
after. After the attack on St. Louis had failed 
the company returned to their home, " Le vieux 
village de Ste. Genevieve." 

During the war of r8i2, Captain Henry Dodge, 
afterwards Governor of Wisconsin, raised at St. 
Genevieve a compan\ ot rillemen lor delense 
against Indian depredations. A compan)' called 
" The South Missouri (luards," with a roll ot 115 
men, commanded by Captain Firmin A. Rozier, 
was organized August 23, 1846. They recruited 
for service in California, but owing to the lateness 
of the season, failing to cross the plains were 
stationed at Fort Leavenworth. Captain Thomas 
M. Horine, of St. Genevieve, during the Mexi- 
can war, raised a company of men ; ordered to 
Santa Fe under Colonel Sterling Price. Colonel 
Joseph Bogy, commissioned by Governor Gamble 
at the opening of the civil war in 1861, organized 



- 113 - 

the militia of St. Genevieve County and other 
counties, of about one thousand men for protec- 
tion of Southeast Missouri against contemplated 
invasion from Arkansas, and were in active ser- 
vice about one month. Captain Gustave St. Gem 
was commissioned captain of Missouri militia by 
Governor Gamble in 1861, and ordered by Gen- 
eral Farrar to act as provost marshal of St. Gen- 
evieve county, in which capacity he was engaged 
when, in September, 1863, he organized Com- 
pany K., of whicli he was commissioned captain, 
in the Forty- seventh regiment, Missouri Volun- 
teers, Colonel Thomas C. Fletcher, commanding. 
Captain St. Gem, while in the volunteer service, 
was ordered by General Rosecranz, commanding 
department of Missouri, to act as provost marshal 
of the Eighth sub-district of the St. Louis military 
district, comprising the counties ot St. Genevieve, 
Perry and Jefferson, where he remai' cd on duty 
until April 8, 1865, and was succeeded by Lieu- 
tenant John O'Neil. An ilhunination of the town 
of St. Genevieve was ordered by Provost Marshal 
O'Neil April 12, 18(35. The citizens of St. (len- 
evieve, June 26, 1865, presented Lieutenant 
O'Neil and <'.'a[)tain S. Good each with a sword 
for their gallantry. Lieutenant Colonel Felix St. 
James — a native and resident of the place — of the 
Thirteenth regiment of Missouri infantry volun- 
teers participated in the attack op. Fort Donelson, 
and was fatally wounded at the battle of Shiloh, 
Tennessee, April 6, 1862, and died shortly after- 



- 114- 

ward, and his remains were removed to St. Gen- 
evieve. 

General Osterhaus' division was stationed at 
St. Genevieve, October 12, 1862, and was ordered 
to take Little Rock, Arkansas, via Pilot Knob; 
and was ordered back to St. Genevieve, accom- 
panied by divisions of Generals Carr and David- 
son, for transportation, in the month of Novem- 
ber, 1862, for the siege of Vicksburg. Colonel 
Frank Leavenworth organized the militia of St. 
Genevieve county, October 18, 1864, about 250 
men, in connection with Lieutenant Colonel 
George Bond, and they were disbanded Novem- 
ber 17, 1864. Captains William Cousins and 
Robert Holmes each raised a company of men at 
St. Genevieve county, who were enlisted in the 
Confederate army, and remained in the service 
during the civil vvar. Colonel S. H. Boyd, with 
the 24th regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, 
was stationed at Maxwell Hill, St. Genevieve, 
April 9, 1863. 

The town of St. Genevieve was surrounded by 
a military force during the night of the 15th of 
August, i86i,bya battalion of Zouaves, com- 
manded by Major John McDonald, since notor- 
ious for his trial before United States courts. 
After seizing the bank he took military possession 
of the town. The next day he demanded of the 
president, Firmin A. Rozier, of the branch bank 
of the Merchants' Bank of St. Louis, located here, 
the funds of the bank. After some parley the 



- 115 - 

president delivered them under protest, and upon 
condition to accompany the battaHon to St. Louis 
on the steamer Hannibal. The Major had come 
tor the money, and kept his eye steadily on his 
gun, insisting on a peaceable surrender. The 
money, a large amount, was taken on the steamer, 
having on board Mr. Rozier, the Major and the 
battalion of Zouaves. On arriving; in St. Louis 
Mr. Rozier called at headquarters to see General 
Fremont, for an interview, who that day handed 
Mayor Howe an order to be delivered to Mr. 
Rozier for the funds of the bank, which were de- 
posited with Colonel Robert Campbell, president 
of the Merchants' Bank. 



La Nouvelle Bourbon. 



This post was situated about two miles imme- 
diately south of the city of St. Genevieve, and 
nearly opposite to Kaskaskia, on the high bluffs 
of the Mississippi river. Don Pierre Carlos De- 
lassus was commandant of the post of " La Nou- 
velle Bourbon." He was a Frenchman. His 
family was educated in affluence, but the French 
revolution caused him with his family to remove 
to Spain, and afterwards to Upper Louisiana. 
He was "chevalier de grande croix de I'ordre 
royal de Saint-Michel." He was appointed by 
Spain commander of the post of " La Nouvelle 



- ii6 - 

Bourbon." He was the father of Lieutenant- 
Governor Charles Dehault Delassus, of Upper 
Louisiana. Don Charles Dehault Delassus, his 
son, was a native of Spain. At Andalusia, in 
Spain, in the war between France and Spain, 
Captain Charles Dehault Delassus led a desper- 
ate char^j^e of Spanish troops and won the victory. 
Afterward he was made by the Spanish king 
commander of the post of New MaJrid, from i 797 
to 1799; then Lieutenant-Governor of Upper 
Louisiana from 1799 to March 10, 1804, and was 
the person who delivered Upper Louisiana to 
Captain Stoddard, an officer of the United States. 



The First Church 



in Upper Louisiana was built by Catholics in " Le 
vieux village de Ste. Genevieve," previous to 
" L'annee des Grandes Faux," being a large 
wooden structure, which was removed to the pre- 
sent city of St. Genevieve in 1794. When this 
churcli became so old and dilapidated it was aban- 
doned, in about the year 1835. The erection of 
the old rock Catholic church was completed in 
1 83 1 under the* surv^eillance o( Rd X. Dahman, 
an old soldier and oHicc;r in the cavalry service 
of Napoleon the Great. It was consecrated No- 
vember 22, 1837, by Bishop Rosatti, of St. Louis. 



-117- 

This old rock church was struck by hghtning- 
July 17, 1841 ; it struck the gable end and the 
fluid descended along the roof to the sacristy, 
then pierced the wall, striking the frame of the 
picture of St. Genevieve ; it then descended to 
the altar, taking away its gilding, and passed to 
the ground floor. Mr. John Doyle, at the time, 
was praying before the altar, and was struck by 
the lightning and considerably stunned, yet re- 
covered from the shock. There is now a laree 
brick church erected over the site of the old rock 
church, under the supervision of Rev. Francis X. 
Weiss. The corner stone of this new edifice was 
laid by Rev. Charles Ziegler, a native of St. Gen- 
evieve, now a parish priest of St. Louis. 

As early as 1760 three Jesuit missionaries set- 
tled at St. Genevieve in their cassocks, with bre- 
viary in hand, and the cross upon their breast. 
They commenced their religious instructions to a 
few inhabitants, anci visited the surrounding 
tribes of Indians, amongst whom vespers and 
matins were chanted. The following is the list 
of ministers that officiated at St. Genevieve under 
the Spanish, French and Territorial governments : 
Fathers P. F. Watrin, J. B. Salveneuve and J. 
Lamorinie from i 760 to 1764 ; Father J. L. Mau- 
rin from 1764 to 1768; Father P. Gibault 1768 
to 1773; Father F. Hilaire from 1773 to 1777; 
Father P. Gibault from 1778 to 1784; Father 
Louis Guiques from 1 786 to 1 789 ; Father De 
St. Pierre from 1 789 to 1 797 ; P^ather James Max- 



- II« - 

well from 1796 to 1814; Father D. Oliver from 
1 814 to 1816 ; Father Henri Pratte from 1816 to 
1821 ; Rev, Francis X. Dahman, 1822 to 1840 ; 
Rev. HyppoliteGondolpho, 1840 ; Rev. Jean Ma- 
rie St. Cyre, 1849 ! Rev. P. L. Hendricks, 1862 ; 
Francis X. Wiess, 1865 to 1885. 



First Religious Records. 



The first baptism in " le vieux village de Ste.- 
Genevieve," was on the 24th of February, 1760, 
and was performed by a Jesuit missionary named 
P. F. Watrin. The first religious marriage which 
occurred at the same place was on the 30th Octo- 
ber, 1764, celebrated by Father J. L. Maurin. 
The parties married were Marck Constatino Can- 
ada and a Miss Suzan Henn, the latter being for- 
merly of Pennsylvania, of German descent. This 
Marck Constatino was living previous to this, 
eight years with a tribe of Indians known as the 
Chawanons, being near St. Genevieve. This 
Suzan Henn was made a prisoner about five years 
before this marriage by the same tribe of Indians. 
They lived together, and had two children, one 
named Marie, three years old, and the other 
Genevieve, two years old. After this marriage 
they regained their liberty. The witnesses to 
this marriage are Jean Ganion and T. Tebriege. 



-119- 

RoMANTic Marriage, During the Regime of 

Spain. 

Mr. Henry Fry an American, who emigrated 
in early times, about 1797, in St. Genevieve dis- 
trict, on Big river, now St. Francis county, Mis- 
souri, had contracted marriage with a Miss Baker, 
a sister of Isaac Baker, a well-to-do farmer and a 
respectable man. At that time, in that section 
of country, there were no officers to perform mar- 
riages, hence they had to go to St. Genevieve to 
celebrate their nuptials. Mr. Fry, accompanied 
by his bride, and her two sisters, the Misses 
Baker, with their brother Aaron Baker, with 
other friends, started for St. Genevieve, with 
glad hearts, and with high anticipations of the 
occasion. 

When they arrived in an open prairie, near 
Terre Blue creek, some nine miles north of the 
town of Farmington, Missouri, they encountered 
a band of roving Osage Indians, who were, at 
the time, engaged in horse racing. The party 
were soon followed and captured, with their 
horses, guns, furs, and peltries belonging to 
Mr. Fry, worth about fifteen hundred dollars. 
M. Henry Fry, was the first attacked and robbed 
of all his clothes, ordered to run, which he re- 
fused, causing an Indian to strike him with his 
ramrod violently upon his bare hips, whilst he 



- I20 - 

had to endure other indignities. The whole 
party were then stripped of their clothing and 
ornaments, and were left, like our first parents, 
in a state of nature. The only one of the party 
not disturbed was Aaron Baker, owing to the 
blotches on his face, which alarmed them, think- 
ing it was small-pox. One of these Misses 
Baker was a very stout woman. Whilst defend- 
ing herself, and clinging to her clothes, she was 
dragged upon fresh burnt stubbles, scarifying her 
back with tattoo marks she carried to her death. 
Of the two sisters of the bride, afterwards one 
married Jolin McRee, the other Alexander Mc- 
Coy ; they left large tamiHes, and many descend- 
ants in St. Francis county, Missouri. 

After this painful occurrence, all returned to 
their homes, which postponed this marriage for 
one year, and it afterwards took place at St. 
Genevieve. Mr. Fry was a pioneer of tliis coun- 
try, lived a long and happy life to the wonderful 
age of one hundred and fifteen years. 



French Customs. 



The customs of Paris was the rule of the b rench 
inhabitants in North America. The command- 
ants of the different French posts generally regu- 
lated the police of the country, adapting their cir- 



- 121 - 

Cumstances and wants according to their sur- 
roundings. The French, in early times, lived 
with great economy and simplicity, being jovial, 
polite and hospitable. The French women were 
devout and remarkably virtuous. Their great 
amusement was the dance, they especially enjoyed 
the kingr's ball, and the " Guio-nolee." At the 
king's ball a large cake was made, where inside 
were four beans, the parties who drew them were 
made kings of the next ball, each king selected a 
queen, these kings generally made a present to 
their queens. At these reunions they were always 
provided with bouillon, cakes, croquignolles, and 
coffee. They always selected two aged persons, 
called provosts, who selected the gentlemen and 
ladies, to open their ball. W\^ fiddle was selec- 
ted, as the musical instrument whose music was 
most congenial to their taste and fancy. The 
distinction of wealth was unknown, all dressed 
alike, all met as equals in the ball-rooms as well 
as at their feasts and religious ceremonies. The 
inhabitants were all Catholics, and greatly at- 
tached to the Catholic missionaries. 

La Guignolee. 

On New Year's eve, the French inhabitants 
assembled together, decorated with fantastic cos- 
tumes to visit each family, to sing and dance the 
Guignolee ; it was an occasion ot much mirth and 
pfood feelinof. 



- t 22 



The Song. 

Bonsoir le maitre et la maitresse, 

Et tout le nionde du logis; 
Pour le premier jour de I'ann^e, 

La Guignolee vous nous devez. 
Si vous n'avez rien ;\ nous donner, 

Dites-nous le, 
Nous vous demandons pas grand chose, 

Une ochin^e, 
Une ^chinge n'est pas bienlongue, 

De quatre-vingt dix pieds de long, 
Encore nous demandons pas grand-chose, 
La fille ainee de la maison, 
Nous lui ferons faire bonne chere 
Nous lui ferons chauffer les pieds. 
Nous saluons la compagnie, 
Et la prions nous excuser. 
Si I'on a fait quel que folic, 
C'etait pour nous desennuyer. 
L'ne autre fois nous prendons garde 
Ouand sera temps d'yrevenir, 
Dansons la guenille, 
Dansons la guenille, 
Dansons la guenille! 
Chorus. Bonsoir le maitre et la maitresse, 
Et tout le monde du loyjs. 



The Common Fields, Floucais and Charrkttes. 



The French inliabitants, had a common field, 
always attached to their villages and towns, each 
was assigned a piece of land to cultivate, with the 
condition to keep in repair the fences, in propor- 



- 123 - 

tion to his share. If any one abandoned his land, 
it was sold at public sale, at the church door, with 
original condition of repair of fence. 

The early inhabitants cultivated their land with 
a wooden plough, seldom ploughed with horses, 
but oxen, which were yoked by the horns. Their 
horses were generally fastened to the charrette 
(cart) which had no iron fastening or iron ties, 
but two wheels, made out of well-seasoned white 
oak, except the hub of gum wood. These char- 
rettes were worked with one to three horses, one 
before the others, having twisted rawhides for 
their traces. This conveyance was used for all 
kinds of work, as well as for family use. When 
the women traveled in them, they were seated in 
chairs that were tied to the railings of the char- 
rette. They were, in early times, well adapted 
for transportation of goods or persons, during all 
the year, except winter, when resort was had in 
strong and comfortable sledofes. 



French Dominion. 



Monette, the historian, well remarks : " Under 
the French Dominion the government was mild 
and paternal ; a mixture of civil and military rule, 
without the technicalities of the one or the sever- 
ity of the other. The commandant was invested 
with despotic authority ; yet he rarely exercised 



124 



his power otherwise than in a kind and paternal 
manner, and for the general welfare of his people. 
In return, he received not only their obedience 
and respect, but also their love." 



Territorial Inhabitants from 1804 to 1820. 



The purchase of Louisiana by the United States 
from the French Government took place in 1803. 
Soon after the change of government, in 1804, a 
new population came and settled here from Vir- 
ginia, Kentucky and Europe. Amongst some 
of those who became citizens were Hon. John 
Scott, delegate to Congress ; General Henry 
Dodge and Augustus C. Dodge, his son, both af- 
terwards United States Senators; James Max- 
well, a prominent Irish Catholic priest ; Judge 
William James, from Kentucky ; Hon. Lewis F. 
Linn, the model senator ; Ferdinand Rozier, Sr. 
and his partner the ornithologist Audubon ; Hon. 
George W. Jones, afterwards United States Sen- 
ator from Iowa; James Clemens, of St. Louis; 
Dr. Hardrage Lane, M. Jacques Cjuibourd, from 
Prance ; Hon, Joseph Bogy, father of Senator 
Lewis V. Bogy ; Charles Gregoire, Thomas 
Crittenden, .Nathaniel Pope, William Shanon, 
Aaron Elliot, Thomas Oliver, Dr. Walter Fen- 
wick and Man. Butler, the historian, Tliomas 



- 125 - 

Madden and others of distinction. These per- 
sons settled here under the Territorial Govern- 
ment from 1804 to 1820, previous to the oroaniz- 
ation of the State of Missouri, and many distin- 
guished themselves in their profession, and pos- 
sessed remarkable talent. Many of them held 
important offices under the Government of the 
United States, and were ornaments to society. 



St. Genevieve Academy. — 1808. 



This Academy was incorporated by an act of 
the Governor of the Territory of Louisiana, on 
the 2istof June 1808. The trustees were James 
Maxwell, Jean-Baptiste Valle, Jacques Guibourd, 
St. Gem Beauvais, Francis Jarvis, Jean-Baptiste 
Pratte, Walter Fenvick, Andrew Henry, Timo- 
thy Phelps, Aaron Elliot, Nathaniel Pope, Joseph 
Spencer, John Scott, William James, Thomas 
Oliver, Joshua Penneman, William Shanon, 
George Bullit, Henry Dodge and Henry Diel. 

This old Academy, which sits on a beautiful 
hill overlooking the town, is a large stone build- 
ing, and was built in 1808 by the old inhabitants 
of St. Genevieve. Man, Butler, the historian 
of Kentucky, in 181 2 became one of its teachers, 
by contract with the^trustees of said academy. 
Afterwards this academy was abandoned for a 



- 126 - 

few years, until It was again brought into a flour- 
ishing condition, under the control of Firmin A. 
Rozier, January 1854, and continued until 1862, 
when the troubles of the civil war prevented its 
continuance. 

In early times, the citizens of St. Genevieve 
District made great efforts to establish good 
schools. When Bishop Dubourg of Louisiana, 
accompanied by Bishop Flaget, of Kentucky, vis- 
ited St. Genevieve, December 17, 1817, Bishop 
Dubourg had been called upon to take charge of 
the St. Genevieve Academy, but for some cause 
or another, it was not carried out. However the 
"St, Mary's College," at the Barrens, now in Perry 
county, Missouri, was established in 1819 by the 
Lazarist Fathers, under the direction of Bishop 
Dubourg. This college acquired a great reputa- 
tion in the West, and was conducted by persons 
of intellect, virtue and learninor, who afterwards 
acquired national reputations. This college was 
afterwards removed to Cape Girardeau in the 
year 1838. Near this St. Mary's College the 
Sisters of Loretto, from Kentucky, established a 
female academy in 1823, under the control of 
Mother Benedict Fenwick, supervised by Rev- 
erend Father Rosatti, then co-adjutor of Bishop 
Dubourg. This academy prospered for several 
years, and was afterwards abandoned. 

The Sisters of Loretto, on the 25th of )une 
1837, established a female academy in the city of 
St. Genevieve, conducted then by Mother Odille 



- 127 " 

Delassus, a daughter of the former commander of 
the post of New Bourbon This academy, in 
1851 passed under the control of the Sisters of St. 
Joseph, who have buik a large and commodious 
convent opposite the present Catholic church 
in the city of St. Genevieve. 



Territorial Courts of St. Genevieve. 



The Territorial district courts of St. Genevieve 
District from 1805 to 1821, were the Common 
Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Oyer and Term- 
iner. The persons who have presided over them 
were : Nathaniel Cook, Joseph Pratte, Amos 
Bird, Isadore Moore, John Smith, T. St. Gem 
Beauvais, Jacques Ciuibourd, Paschal Detchmen- 
dy, Jean-Baptiste Vallc, Thomas Madden, John 
Hawkins and Williams James. At different pe- 
riods these courts w^ere presided and supervised 
by Judges James B. Lucas, Otto Shrader and 
David Barton, who with others composed the 
Superior Court of the Territory. 

The Territorial circuit court of St. Genevieve 
District was established in 1814, was presided 
over by Judge Richard S. Thomas until 1824. 
He was a Virginian by birth, came to St. Gene- 
vieve about the year 18 10, served as judge ten 
years ; at the near termination of his term was 



- 128 - 

impeached, but acquitted ; afterwards removed to 
Jackson, Missouri. Whilst on his way to Green- 
ville, was thrown off of his horse, seriously injur- 
ed, died shortly afterwards and was buried at 
Jackson, Missouri. Thomas Oliver acted as 
clerk of said court. Israel Dodge and Henry 
Dodge were the sheriffs of this Territorial Dis- 
trict from 1804 to 182 1. The attorneys who 
attended the courts at St. Genevieve, from 1805 
to 1 82 I were Nathaniel Pope, John Scott, Wil- 
liam C. Carr, Edward Hempstead, Thomas H. 
Benton, Otto Shrader, Thomas H. Crittenden, 
George Bullit, Rufus Easton and H. M. Brack- 
enridue. 



Fatal Encounter of Captain De Mun. 



An ancient famil\- known as Depeste, and also 
one known as De Mun, settled in St. Genevieve 
in the year 1808. A melancholy death occurred 
to one of them, being Auguste De Mun, the son 
of Jacques De Mun, captain of dragoons of St. 
Domingo. He had made, from information, in- 
jurious remarks of Mr. William McCarthur, about 
coining money. Mr. McCarthur being well con- 
nected, and a brother-in-law of Dr. Lewis F. Linn, 
sent a challenge to De Mun, which was not ac- 
cepted, because he thought him imworthy of his 



- 129 " 

steel. McCarthur denounced DeMun in public, 
which orave him greater offense. They met at 
the old Territorial court house, whilst court was 
in session, at St. Genevieve. As McCarthur 
was coming down and De Mun was going up the 
stair- way, they both hred, and poor De Mun fell 
mortally wounded, and expired shortly afterwards. 
They were, at the time, both candidates for the 
Territorial House of Representatives. Mr. De 
Mun was buried in the Catholic graveyard in St. 
Genevieve, August 28, 1816, but no tombstone 
marks his place of burial. 



Missouri Territorial Assembly. 



The General Assembly of the Territorial Gov- 
ernment of Missouri, met in St. Louis, Decem.- 
ber 7, 1812, consisting of a Council of nine and 
a house of representatives. The delegates from 
St. Genevieve District at that time, were Honor- 
able George Bullit, Judge Richard S. Thomas and 
Isaac McGready. In the Council of nine, St. 
Genevieve was represented by Hon. John Scott 
and Reverend James Maxwell, a learned and 
practical Irish Catholic priest. Both were ap- 
pointed by the President of the United States. 
On December 6, 1813, Hon. George Bullit was 
elected speaker of the House, and December 5, 
1 8 14, Hon. James Caldwell occupied the same 



- T30 - 

position, both from the St. Genevieve district. 
Afterwards different persons were elected in this 
district to the Territorial Legislature up to the 
formation of the State Constitution. 



The Constitutional Convention of 1820. 

This convention to form a State constitution 
and organize the State of Missouri, met in St. 
Louis, June 12, 1820, and concluded their labors 
July 19, 1820. 

The delegates from St. Genevieve^ were : — 
John D.Cook, John Scott, Henry Dodge, Robert 
T. Brown. 

The Population and Commerce of 
St. Genevieve. 



The census taken by the Spaniards in 1799, 
when Lieutenant-Governor Delassus acted for 
Upper Louisiana, for St. Genevieve was 945 per- 
sons ; and at the change of government in 1804, 
it was 1300, one-third being slaves. The com- 
merce of St. Genevieve, in early times consisted 
principally in lead and peltries and they had a 
large commerce on the Mississippi and Ohio 
rivers, by keel-boat transportation. The com- 



- 131 - 

mercial men of St. Genevieve during the Terri- 
torial government from 1804 to 1820, were re- 
markably active and successful in their business 
pursuits. At that time many merchants of St. 
Louis had to make their purchases at St. Gene- 
vieve. M. Ferdinand Rozier, Sr., a prominent 
merchant in those days, traveled from St. Gene- 
vieve to the city of Philadelphia six times on 
horseback to transact business. Such trips at 
present would be looked upon as singular and ro- 
mantic. Mr. Louis Bolduc, an old merchant, be- 
came by commerce very rich. M. Thomas Mad- 
din, an American, also of wealth, offered to wager 
with Bolduc as to which had most wealth. Bol- 
duc soon silenced him by requesting him to bring 
his half bushel to measure his silver money, which 
he kept, at the time, in his cellar. 

The wealthy and enterprising house of Menard 
&Valle was established in 181 7, the memorable 
year that steam power was introduced in Upper 
Louisiana, with the " Pike," commanded by Cap- 
tain Jacob Reed, who entered and fastened his 
boat August I, 1817, at the port of St. Genevieve. 
This commercial firm had a large trade with the 
Indian tribes. Pierre Menard, of Kaskaskia, one 
of the partners, was then Indian Agent, and con- 
trolled a large business throughout the West. 
St. Genevieve, from the first settlement, was an 
important commercial point, for it was the depot 
of all lead, copper, nickel, cobalt and iron, from 



- 132 - 

the Iron Mountain, Pilot Knob, Mine Lamotte. 
Valle Mines and Potosi up to the year 1857, when 
the Iron Mountain Railroad was built, that de- 
prived St. Genevieve of this trade, which was 
afterw^ards carried to St. Louis. 



Steamboat Catastrophe. 



The steamer " Doctor Franklin No. 2," in Au- 
gust, 1852, collapsed a flue, at Turkey Island, on 
the Mississippi, about four miles above St. Gene- 
vieve, scalding and killing nearly all her deck 
passengers and crew. She was towed down to 
the St. Genevieve wharf. Amongst the passen- 
gers was the famous novel writer Ned Buntline, 
who escaped unhurt. The sight on board of the 
steamer was a distressing and mournful one. The 
cabin of the boat was strewed w ith men and wo- 
men, uttering the most fearful cries, and under- 
going the most cruel sufferings. Strong men 
were there blistered with steam, yet cold in death. 
Both engineers were blown into the river, and at 
the time of the explosion some jumped overboard 
and were lost. In one berth lay a wife and 
mother dead, with a child still clasped in her arms, 
whilst others were frightfully mutilated. The cit- 
izens of St. Genevieve rendered all the aid and 
assistance to those unfortunate persons, and had 
the dead decently buried in the graveyard. 



Telegraph Line and Plank Road. 

The first telegraph hne in Missouri connected 
Nashville to St. Louis, passed through St. Gene- 
vieve, and was established in the year 1850, but 
afterwards discontinued. At this period nothing 
seemed so wonderful and miraculous, to witness 
the flashes of intelligence flying with the rapidity 
of lightning, through the first town of Upper Lou- 
isiana. 

The first important improvement in the State 
of Missouri was the plank road made between St. 
(lenevieve and Iron Mountain, which took place 
August 20th, 1S51, being forty-two miles in length. 
So important was this first great enterprise con- 
sidered, that a corps of talented engineers were 
employed to construct and supervise this work, 
which consisted of James P. Kirkwood, chief en- 
gineer of the Missouri Pacific Railroad ; William 
R. Singleton, an active and competent engineer, 
now of Washington City ; also the unfortunate 
Sullivan, of the Gasconade bridge disaster ; and 
the young, active and talented Joseph A. Miller, 
now of Providence, Rhode Island. These scien- 
tific persons afterwards acquired a national repu- 
tation as civil engineers and railroad builders in 
Missouri and in the far West. Over this plank 
road, for a few vears, an immense business was 



- 134 - 

carried on in lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, marble and 
granite, and agricultural products of all kinds. 

Old St, Genevieve, F'ort Chartres and 
Kaskaskia. 



It is a remarkable fact, that the first four per- 
manent settlements in the Great West, on the 
banks of the " Father of Waters," have been 
completely destroyed and swept away by the 
floods of this monarch of rivers ; and strange it is 
to say, that of Fort Chartres, Kaskaskia, " Le 
Vieux village de Ste. -Genevieve " and New Mad- 
rid nothing is left of them. Their old landmarks 
and monuments, even many of the tombs and 
graves of the pioneers have been carried away by 
the floods : and like the immortal De Soto's re- 
mains, have been swept into the great waters of 
the gulf, buried forever as is often the fate of the 
founders of nations and empires. 

French Population. 



To the period of 1S20, the population of the 
towns of Missouri was of French origin. They 
possessed great industry and hospitality of char- 
acter and were the pioneers of all great com.mer- 



- 135 - 

cial enterprises in the far West. They felled the 
forests, excavated mines, established trading 
posts, planted the standards of civilization along 
the banks of our great rivers. Their intellect 
was of a strong and vioforous character, thev had 
honesty of purpose, were of iron constitution, and 
their promises and engagements were kept most 
sacredly and religiously. They were the gallant 
sons of France and the compeers of Lafayette. 
Owing to the change of government and the great 
wave of immicrration to the West, there are now 
but few of their progeny who remain to commem- 
orate and chant their gallantry and virtues, and to 
weep over the graves of this noble race, who first 
planted the standard of liberty and Christianity 
over the broad domains of the great State of Mis- 
souri. 

The people of St. Genevieve, exactly since a 
century and a half, have lived under four differ- 
ent governments without encountering great dis- 
asters or bloody wars, in such remarkable changes, 
which are generally accompanied with great dis- 
orders and misfortunes. They first lived and 
were subjects of the great French nation to the 
year 1769 ; secondly they fell under the jurisdic- 
tion and dominion of Spain until 1800; again un- 
der the Napoleon dynasty, until 1804 ; and lastly, 
and thank God, under the flag of the United States 
of America, from the last period to the present 
time, and to be hoped for all future time. 



- 136 



Newspapers Published at St. Genevieve. 

The first paper was " The Correspondent and 
Record," in 1821, 1822 and 1823 by Thomas 
Folley ; "State Gazette," in 1833, edited by 
Wilham B, Baker ; " Missouri Democrat," edited 
by P. G. Ferguson ; 1849, " Pioneer," edited by 
James Lindsay and Concanon ; 1850, "Creole," 
edited by Charles C. Rozier, also " The Pioneer," 
by James H. Dixon, in 1850; 1854, " Indepen- 
dent," edited by Amable Rozier ; 1859, " Mis- 
souri Gazette," edited by E. K. P^aton ; 1859, 
" Plaindealer," edited by O. D. Marris ; 1865, 
" Representative," edited by Halleck & Brother ; 
1868, " News and Advertiser," edited by G. M. 
Setto ; 1872, "Fair Play," edited by Henry 
Smith; 1872, " Freie Presse and Freie Blatter," 
edited by Frank Kline ; 1874, " Free Press," ed- 
ited by Kline & Earnst ; 1874, " P"reie Presse," 
edited by Dr. C. F. Carsour ; 1879, " Fair Play" 
edited by Henry Smith; "Valley Herald," 
Henry & Shaw, and " St. Genevieve Herald," 
by Joseph A. Earnst, in 1882-5. 

Members of the Legislature of Missouri 
FROM St. Genevieve. 

State Senators — Hon. Joseph Bogy, Sr.,1822 ; 
Hon. Lewis F. Linn, 1830; Hon. Charles C. 
Valle, 1834; Hon. Conrad C. Ziegler, 1854; 
Hon. Firmin A. Rozier, 1872. 



- 137 - 

Lower House — Hon. A. G. Bird, 1822 ; Hon. 
Peter Dagget, 1824; Hon. Beverly Allen, 1826; 
Hon. John S. Barret, 1828 ; Hon. Robert Moore, 
1830; Hon. Joseph Bogy, Sr., 1832 ; Hon. 
Clement Detchniendy, 1834-6 ; Hon. Allen Hol- 
loman, 1838; Hon. Thomas M. Horine, 1840; 
Hon, Joseph Coffman, 1842 ; Hon. Robert J. 
Boas, 1844 ; Hon. Jeremiah Robinson, 1846 ; 
Hon. Johnson B. Clardy. 1848 ; Hon Jesse B. 
Robbins, 1850; Hon. Sifroid Rousfin, 1852; 
Hon. Lewis V. Bogy, 1854; Hon. Firmin A. 
Rozier, 1856; Hon. Robert J. Boas, 1858; 
Hon. John (^ Watkins, i860; Hon. David C. 
Tuttle, 1862 ; Hon. George Bond, 1864 ; Hon. 
Joseph Bogy, Jr., 1868 ; Hon. Antoine Beltrami, 
1870; Hon. Robert J. Madison, 1872 ; Hon. 
William Cox, 1874 ; Hon. Jasper N. Burks, 1876 ; 
Hon. Wilham Cox, 1878 ; Hon. L. S. Patterson, 
1880; Hon. T. P. Boyer, 1884. 

Judges of the Circuit Court, from 1820 
TO 1879. 

First judge, Richard S. Thomas, 1820 ; sec- 
ond judge, John D. Cook, 1825 ; third judge, 
William Scott, 1835 ; fourth judge, Henry 
Schurids, 1837 ; fifth judge, James Evans, 1837 ; 
sixth judge, David Sterigere, 1839 ; seventh 
judge, John H. Stone, 1844 ; eighth judge, James 
W. Owens, 1863; ninth judge, William Carter, 



1864; tenth judge, John B. Robinson, 1874; 
eleventh judge, W. N. Nalie, 1878 ; twelfth judge, 
John H, Nicholson, 1879 , thirteenth judge, 
James D. Fox, 1880-85. 

Clerks of the Court. 

First, Thomas Oliver ; second, Joseph D. 
Grafton ; third, Jesse B. Robbins ; fourth, John 
N. Littlejohn ; fifth, Charles G. Rozier ; sixth, 
John L. Bogy ; seventh, Joseph Beauman ; 
eighth, Jules Guyon. 

Sheriffs — 1820 to 1879. 

First, Henry Dodge ; second, Francis Valle ; 
third, John S. Barret ; fourth, John Bapt. Vital 
St. Gem ; fifth, Eloy Lecompte ; sixth, Emman- 
uel Pratte ; seventh, William Adams ; eighth, 
Jesse B. Robbins; ninth, Robert J. Boas; tenth, 
William C. Warner ; eleventh, Francis I. Mor- 
eau ; twelfth, Jacob Boas ; thirteenth, George D. 
Scott ; fourteenth, Andrew Anderson ; fifteenth, 
Robert J. Madison; sixteenth, Joseph Huck ; 
seventeenth, James J. Wilson ; eighteenth, Louis 
Norman ; nineteenth, Feon Yokeest. 



- I 



Grand Celebration of the Anniversary of 

St, Genevieve, July 21, 1885, at the 

City of St. Genevieve, 

A throng of people attended this celebration. 
It was the anniversary of the "Old Town of St. 
Genevieve " of one hundred and fifty years ; and 
of the city of St. Genevieve of one hundred 
years, being the first settlement west of Missis- 
sippi river in Upper Louisiana. The place sel- 
ected for meeting was on " Maxwell Hill," a 
beautiful hill that overlooks the river, Kaskaskia 
and Port Chartres. 

In attendance was a military company, known 
as " St. Louis Cavalry and Artillery," com- 
manded by Captain R. L. Henry, which fired 
the national salute of 21 guns, at six o'clock and 
thirty minutes, to commence the celebration of 
the day, when " High Mass " was chanted, and 
Father Huttler preached the sermon upon the 
examplary lives of the old pioneers. In attend- 
ance -^n " Maxwell Hill," was the Schuchert's 
Cornet Band from Chester, Illinois. 

The arrival of the large steamer Will S. Hays, 
crowded with people from St. Louis, also arrived 
the steamer Bellefontaine from Chester, also the 
Nick Swaer from Kaskaskia river, A proces- 
sion was formed from the city to "Maxwell Hill" 



- 140 - 

preceded by the St. Genevieve Cornet Band, 
followed by the Mayor of the city, city officers, 
clergymen, county officers, and the citizens ; 
accompanied by a beautiful float conducted by 
the ladies. 

When the procession reached the grand en- 
trance of the hill, the three flags of France, 
Spain, and the United States were unfurled, 
whilst the artillery announced that the procession 
and the people had arrived to celebrate so inter- 
esting an occasion. The assemblage was address- 
ed by General Firmin A. Rozier, the appointed 
orator of the day, who was followed by Honorable 
Alex. J. P, Garesche, Colonel F. T. Lederberger, 
Major William Cozzens, and Commodore Lyn- 
don A. Smith, secretary of Mayor Francis of 
St. Louis. 

Over five thousand persons had congregated for 
this celebration ; and were enjoying themselves 
and partaking the good things of this world, when 
suddenly, at four o'clock in the evening, the 
clouds began to darken the earth, and a terrific 
storm suddenly arose, that scattered the people 
in all directions, reminding us of the great flood 
and storm ot one hundred years ago, which made 
so memorable the year 1785. 



St. Genevieve, as the first permanent settle- 
ment west of the Mississippi river, in the then 
Great West, has the honor of hiving first planted 



- HI - 

the banner of civilization, and in the language of 
the poet : 

'' I greet the land of the West, 

Whose banners of stars, over the world unfold, 
Whose empire overshadows Atlantic's wide breast, 
And opens the Sunset, its great gateway of gold.'' 



142 



II.— THE ST. LOUIS DISTRICT. — HIS- 
TORY OF ST. LOUIS 



After Laclede Liguest and his associates ob- 
tained a charter from the Gf)vernor of Louisiana 
of an exclusive trade with the Indians of the Mis- 
souri and the Upper Mississippi as far as St. Pe- 
ters River, they embarked on their small flotilla at 
New Orleans on the 3d day of August, 1763, to 
stem the strong current of the F'ather of Waters, 
apd to select a site on its magnificent banks to 
build a trading-post, which they did on the 15th 
day of February, i 764, giving it the name of St. 
Louis. In the prophetic language of Laclede, its 
founder, " That he had found a situation where 
he intended to establish a settlement which might 
become hereafter one of the finest cities in Amer- 
ica." This judicious location was made on the 
banks of the Mississippi about twenty miles below 
the mouth of the Missouri. These two mighty 
rivers, whose waters roll down to the Gulf of 
Mexico, tlien traversing a rash wilderness, had 
as yet been only ruffled by the Indian canoe. 
No sooner had these persons felled the forest and 
opened a large street parallel to the river, and 
cleared It of its incumbrances, that they erected 



- 143 - 

log houses suitable as a trading-post. Shortly 
afterwards, on November loth, 1764, a tribe of 
Missouri Indians, about one hundred and fifty 
warriors, with their squaws, visited this location, 
seemed highly pleased with its pioneers, deter- 
mined to pitch their tents amongst them perma- 
nently, but Laclede for good reasons got rid of 
them ; they soon departed, and strange as it may 
appear, never troubled them afterwards. 

The following negotiation and intercourse was 
held by Laclede and these savages, the chiefs 
holdinor the followino; lanofuaofe : 

" We are worthy of pity : for we are like the 
ducks and geese, seeking some clear water upon 
which to rest themselves, and to obtain an easy 
existence. We know of no better place than 
where we are. We mean to build our wigwams 
around your village. We shall be your children, 
and you will be our father." 

Laclede here closed tlie talk, promising them a 
reply, at a meeting to take place the next day, on 
which occasion he said : 

" You told me yesterday, that you were like 
the ducks and geese, who go on traveling until 
they find a fine country, where they can rest them- 
selves and obtain an easy living ; you told me 
you were worthy of pity ; that you were looking 
out for a spot to settle upon, and had not found 
one more suitable than this ; that you would build 
your village around me ; that we should live all 
together like friends. I wish to answer you like 



- 144 - 

a orood father, and I must say that, if you imitate 
the ducks and geese, you follow guides that have 
no forethought, for if they had any, they would 
not settle on clear water, where they can be seen 
by the eagle, who would catch them. This would 
not be the case were they to select a retired spot, 
well shadowed by trees. You Missourias, you 
would not be devoured by birds of prey, but by 
the Red Men who have been so long warring 
against you, and have already so much reduced 
your numbers. They are at this moment not far 
from here, watching the English to prevent them 
from taking possession of their grounds. If they 
discover that you are here, they will kill your 
warriors, and make slaves ot your wives and 
children. This is what will happen to you, if as 
you say, you mean to follow the example of the 
ducks and geese, instead of listening to the coun- 
sels of men who reflect. You chiefs and warriors 
think now whether, it is not more prudent, that 
you leave here quickly, rather than be crushed by 
superior numbers of your enemies, in sight of 
your butchered old men, and )'Our women and 
children torn to pieces, and their limbs scattered 
to the dogs and vultures. Recollect that it is the 
good father who speaks to you. Meditate well 
what he has said, and come back to-night with 
your answer." 

The whole tribe in council informed him they 
would follow his advice, but S(jlicitecl provisions 
for the women and children, also powder for their 



- 145 - 

warriors, which Laclede gave them. The next 
day, they left, and ascended the river of their 
fathers, the Missouri, and returned to their vil- 
lao-es and firesides. 



Military and Civil Organization of the Post 
Of St. Louis in 1765. 



Soon after these savages left, St. Louis received 
an accession of French inhabitants from the 
Illinois, greatly owing to their aversion of living 
under the dominion of England. The fortunate 
arrival of St. Ange de Belle Rive, in the latter 
part of October, 1765, at the post of St. Louis, 
with his military company, consisting of two lieu- 
tenants and twenty soldiers, accompanied by the 
civil officers of the Illinois, established order, 
which gave great confidence to the inhabitants, 
security to life and property, on the west side of 
the Mississippi river, then known as Upper Lou- 
isiana. 

St. Ange was a distinguished French officer, 
former commander of the Wabash, and afterwards 
of Fort Chartres. He acted as commander of 
the post of St. Louis from the latter part of Octo- 
ber, 1765, until the Spaniards took possession of 
Upper Louisiana. St. Ange after this, became a 



- 146 - 

Spanish officer, Captain in the "Spanish regiment 
of Louisiana." He died in St. Louis, December 
27th, 1774, reaching the ripe age of seventy-five 
years, much esteemed as a gallant officer, having 
the honor of being the first commander of the post 
of St. Louis, under the French lilies. During 
the command of St. Ange, Captain Francisco 
Rios, a Spanish officer, with troops, in the name 
of Spain, attempted to take possession of Upper 
Louisiana, August iith, 1767, without displacing 
St. Ange. Owing to the hostility, French inhab- 
itants induced Rios July 17th, 1769 to return to 
New Orleans with his troops to join Count O'Rei- 
ly. Whilst Rios was in Upper Louisiana he 
erected a fort, called " Fort Prince Charles " on a 
high bluff, on the south side of the Missouri river, 
about fourteen miles north of St. Louis. This 
fort was afterwards occupied by General James 
Wilkerson in the year 1805, with United States 
troops. 

When St. Ange left " Fort Chartres " for St. 
Louis, he was accompanied by the civil authori- 
ties of " Illinois," consisting of Joseph Lefebre 
Dubruisseaux, Attorney General of the King, and 
Judge in the Royal Jurisdiction, which office he 
held until his death, which occurred in St. Louis 
April 3d, 1767. He was also at the time, the 
King's Military Storekeeper. The other impor- 
tant officer was Joseph Labuxiere, the deputy of 
the King's attorney, secretary and notaire public, 
of the Illinois. After the death of Dubruisseaux, 



- 147 - 

he became the principal civil officer under St, 
Ange, and acted as such, at the post of St. Louis, 
until St. Ange delivered the St. Louis post to the 
Spaniards on May 20th, 1770. The French offi- 
cers, who took charge of Upper Louisiana from 
1765 to 1770, were regular officers then of the 
Illinois country under the French lilies ; hence 
their authority was recognized willingly by the in- 
habitants of the west side of the Mississippi. 

The patriarchs of St. Louis were Laclede 
Chouteau, Labadie, Lefebre, Conde, Cere, La- 
buxiere, Chauvin, Sarpy, St. Ange, Guyon, Ortes> 
Lajoie, Vasquez and others, all persons of prom" 
inence and boldness of character, of jovial dispo- 
sition, with great honesty of purpose. Their 
occupations were as hunters, traders in furs and 
peltries, some few as cultivators of the soil, others 
as voyageurs on western waters. With strong 
arms and stout hearts, they planted on this mon- 
arch river, the banners of civilization, and laid the 
foundation of the great Central City of the United 
States. 



Churches in St. Louis. 



Under a rude tent, that was erected in the 
midst of the forest of St. Louis, that fringed the 
banks of the Mississippi, stood Father T. L. 
Maurin, a Catholic missionary, dressed in his cas- 



- 148 - 

sock, adorned by a cross on his breast, officiating 
as a priest in the years 1764 to 1768. In the year 
1768, a small chapel was erected on the north- 
east corner of what was known as " Cathedral 
Block." Afterward a Catholic church was built, 
thirty feet by sixty feet, on this block which was 
consecrated January 28, 1776, the year of the 
American Independence. This was replaced by 
a cathedral, which was consecrated to God on the 
26th day of October, 1834, by Bishop Rosati. A 
portion of this Catholic block was occupied as a 
graveyard, which was afterwards abandoned as 
such, and the graves removed to other places, 
whilst fine buildings now cover this former ceme- 
tery Such is the fate of the founders of cities, 
in the new world, whose ashes are disturbed often 
by the rapid tread of emigration. 



Carondelet. 



A short time after the settlement of St. Louis, 
Carondelet was founded by Delore de Trigette, 
in the year 1767, in honor of Baron Carondelet, 
St. Charles was established later, in 1769, by 
Blanchette Chasseur ; also Florissant, by Buro- 
sier Dunegan, in 1776, the year of the declara- 
tion of the American Independence; these places 
all became important points in the great West. 



- H9 - 

St. Louis Invaded by the English and Indians 
May 26th 1780. 

Some fifteen years after the settlement of St. 
Louis, its commerce had greatly increased, when 
its population numbered six hundred and eighty- 
seven persons (687). Its important position, had 
excited the jealousy of the EngHsh, along the 
western lakes, against the Spaniards, who con 
troled the country west of the Mississippi river, 
and were then at war with England, whilst Spain 
sympathized with the Colonies of America dur- 
ing the revolution : hence their enmity and attack 
upon the post of St. Louis. An event in 1779 oc- 
curred that hastened a warlike expedition in 1780. 
One Dominique Ducherme, a Canadian and In- 
dian trader, who lived at intervals at Cahokia and 
Mackinaw, beine a man of orreat inOuence amono- 
the Indians along the western lakes, obtain- 
ed a supply of Indian goods, and proceeded 
up the Missouri river to trade with the Indians, 
when a party of Spanish soldiers from the port of 
St. Louis overtook him ; they seized his boat of 
goods, whilst Ducherme made his escape only 
with his gun and life. This caused him to swear 
vengeance, against the post of St. Louis. 

Ducherme returned to the lakes, and raised the 
war-whoop among the savages, Canadians and 



- I50- 

English, against the Spaniards at the post of St. 
Louis. At this time St. Louis had a stockade 
consisting of upright posts set in two rows, filled 
with earth ; it was partially carried around the 
exterior of the village, with three openings for 
egress to the commons and common-fields. It 
was protected by a fort mounted with a few 
cannons. 

At this period St. Louis was under the domin- 
ion of Spain, but nearly all its inhabitants were 
French, whilst France and Spain were at war 
with England. The original district of St. Louis, 
established by the Spaniards, was bounded north 
by the Missouri river, east by the Mississippi 
river, south by the Merrimac river, w'est inde- 
finitely. 

Boat and Cargo Captured by the English 
AND Indians. 



In March 1780, previous to the attack on St. 
Louis, rumors were rife of an English and Indian 
army, to devastate this post and Cahokia. To 
show the English and Indian animosity, Charles 
Gratiot, a merchant, then living at Cahokia, 
sent up the Mississippi river a barge loaded with 
provisions and stores in March 1780 to Prairie 
du Chien, then in possession of the English and 
Indians : this boat was under the command of 
John B. Cardinal. It was captured with its car- 



- 151- 

go, some thirty miles below Prairie du Chien, 
and the crew made prisoners and ironed, Charles 
Gratiot previous to this, had obtained permission 
from Governor Leyba, and the American autho- 
rity at Kaskaskia, to trade upon the Mississippi 
river above St. Louis. 



British and Indians. 

The British Commandant, at Mackinackinac, 
organized along the western lakes, a force of one 
hundred and forty regulars, and about fourteen 
hundred Indians and Canadians, who marched to 
the post of St. Louis. A part of these troops 
crossed the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers, 
above St. Louis, so as to assault it by the rear, 
when the attack was made on the 26th of May, 
1780, known as " I'annee du coup." The assault 
was sudden and quickly over, a few persons 
killed on the prairie back of the post, whilst 
through the whole expedition about sixty persons 
were killed or made prisoners of war. The citi- 
zens of St. Louis and the company from St. 
Genevieve, did all that could de done, under the 
strange and unaccountable orders of Governor 
Leyba, Commandant of the post, which de- 
prived the citizens and militia of powder, order- 
ing some cannons to be spiked, and his tyran- 
nical conduct to the St. Genevieve company, 
who had come to defend St. Louis. 



-152- 

The behaviour of this company during the 
attack on St. Louis has been variously judged, 
but all criticism is groundless, as the writer has 
often taken occasion to prove from authentic 
sources. The following commentary on one of 
his early pleas is quoted from the Western your- 
nal : 

" In noticing this attack on St. Louis, page 78 
of the 2d Vol. of the Western Journal, we used 
the followiiig language : ' The inhabitants of the 
town repelled the attack with spirit and bravery, 
but the greater part of a company of militia that 
had been broutrht from St. Genevieve to aid in 
the defense of the town, either through fear or 
treachery, hid themselves in a garret, during the 
attack — while the Lieutenant-Governor, Leyba, 
who, as it was believed, had been bribed by the 
British, was guilty of the most open acts of treach- 
ery to the citizens.' 

" We made the foregoing statement on the au- 
thority, though, perhaps, not in the precise words, 
of Mr. Prinim's anniversary address. Not doubt- 
ing but that Mr. Primm, and also, the author of 
the article before us, have both stated the circum- 
stances attending the attack on St. Louis accord- 
ing to their belief in the sources whence they 
respectively obtained their information, yet, in 
our estimation, the account of ^L^ Rozier appears 
more consistent with the character and relations 
of the parties concerned. 



- 153 - 

"It is admitted on all hands that the Lieutenant- 
Governor Leyba, was a traitor ; and we must 
suppose that he had sufficient inducements, from 
some quarter, for his conduct ; but it is difficult 
to imagine what motives could induce the men of 
St. Genevieve to betray their countrymen and 
neighbors ; especially in a country containing so 
few civilized inhabitants. Nor, should we admit 
the suspicion of cowardice, in respect to such 
men, without very strong proof. 

" Inhabitants of a small village surrounded by 
savages ; remote from the protection and succor 
of civilized men; voyageurs on the Mississippi, 
enured to hardships and dangers ; and, withal 
descended from a gallant race, the men of St. 
Genevieve could scarcely be guilty of cowardice 
in the defense of a neighboring village of their 
own countrymen. The treachery of Leyba, a 
Spanish officer, for whoni the inhabitants of St. 
Genevieve could have had but little sympathy, 
sufficiently accounts, in our opinion, for the con- 
duct of the St. Genevieve company. Those 
hardy pioneers prepared the way for the settle- 
ment of this country ; they suffered many priva- 
tions ; and it devolves upon us of the present 
generation, as a sacred duty, to preserve the 
record of their virtues ; and as far as truth will 
permit rescue their character from every dishon- 
orable imputation. This we owe to them, to the 
honor ot our common country, and to history." 



- 154- 

During this attack, the post of St. Louis was 
saved by Colonel Clark and his troops, who sud- 
denly appeared, which caused the retreat of the 
British and Indians. 



CHANSON DE L'ANNEE DU COUP. 

PAR JOHN P. TRUDEAU. 

LE GOUVERNEUR. 

Courrier, qu'y a-t-il de nouveau ? 
Tu parais trouble du cerveau : 
Les Illinois sont-ils conquis ? 
Les Anglais ont-ils pris le pays ? 
Tu parais tout deconcerte ; 
Quel grand malheur est arrive? 

LE COURRIER. 

Grand General, tout est perdu, 
S'il n'est promptement secouru : 
Nous avons ('-ti'' attaques, — 
Nous sommes encore menaces ; 
Beaucoup de monde ont ete turs, 
Sans pouvoir secours leur donner. 

Quand I'ennemi a paru, 
Aux armes chacun a couru : 
Habitans, bourgeois, joli gens, 
Vous vous battrez vaillamment ; — 
Mais la dt'-fense a I'tt- donnt'-e 
De ne point sortir des trancht'-es. 

LE COUVERNEUR. 

Que faisaient-ils en ce moment : 
Etaient-ils tous sans sentiment? 



-155 - 

N'aviez-vous pas ce grand Leyba, 
Et ce fameux Cartabona ; 
Aussi bien que votre Major, 
Et toute la garde du fort ? 
Que faisaient ils en ce moment, 
Etaient-ils tous sans sentiment? 

Revenez, canaille, revenez ! 

De long-temps vous ne nous surprendrez ! 

Nous avons dans notre rempart, 

Pour defendre notre etendard, 

Un Commandant brave et prudent, 

Qui vous etrillera vaillamment ! 

Calve, ce petit chaudronnier, 
Se croirait-il brave guerrier. 
Pour avoir fait assassiner 
Son neveu, pauvre infortune ? 
Pour voir ses parens, ses amis 
Abandonnes, dans la prairie, 
A des barbares pleins de furie ? 

Canadiens sans coeur, sans honneur, 
Faites egorger vos freres, vos sceurs ; 
Vous vous etes ensuite echappes 
Par une fuite precipitee. 



156 - 



Declaration of War, in 1793, Against 

THE OSAGES, BY ZeNON TrUDEAU, 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

The " Petits and Grands Osages," a tribe of 
Indians, living in Missouri, became very trouble- 
some and were continually making- depredations 
which induced Lieutenant-Governor Zenon Tru- 
deau, at St. Louis, to declare war against this 
tribe of Indians on June 12, 1793. At this 
period the Spanish military force was not very 
effective, and the Spaniards had often to submit 
to outrages and to sue for peace. Captain Stod- 
dard relates one instance, amongst many others, 
to explain the character of the Missouri Indians. 

" While a kind of predatory war raged in 1794 
between one of these tribes and the whites, a 
peace was concluded in a singular manner. A 
war chief, with a party of his nation, boldly 
entered St. Louis and demanded an interview 
with the Lieutenant-Governor, to whom he said : 
' We have come to offer you peace. We have 
been at war with you many moons, and what 
have we done ? Nothing. Our warriors have 
tried every means to meet yours in battle, Init 
you will not, you dare not fight us ; you are a 
parcel of old women. What can be done with 
such a people, but to make peace, since you will 



- 157 - 

not fight? I come therefore, to offer you peace, 
and to bury the hatchet.' The Spanish govern- 
ment was obhged to bear the insuk, and to grant 
the desired peace." 

Anecdotes of St. Louis. 



The French descendants of St. Louis, still re- 
tain numerous anecdotes of their ancestors, that 
describe the unsophisticated nature of the Mis- 
sourians. This is one of them : 

A genuine Missourian, it is related, was hov- 
ering for some time, around the stall of a negro 
trader, situated on the bank of the Mississippi, in 
Lower Louisiana. The dealer was a Kentucky 
merchant, who, observing him, asked him if he 
wished to purchase anything. " Yes," said the 
Missourian, " I would like to buy a negro." He 
was invited to walk in, made his choice and in- 
quired the price. " Five hundred (500) dollars," 
said the clealear, " but according to custom, you 
may have one year's credit upon the purchase." 
The Missourian, at this proposition, became very 
uneasy : the idea of having such a load of debt 
upon him for a whole year, was too much. "No, 
no," said he, " I rather pay you the six hun- 
dred dollars at once, and be done with it." 
" Very well," said the obliging Kentuckian, 
" anything to accommodate you." 



-158- 

Anecdote of Carondelet. 

The tenacity with which the old inhabitants 
adhered to the pursuits of their ancestors is ilkis- 
trated very forcibly in a single transaction at Ca- 
rondelet. A passenger landed froni one of the 
steam-boats, that grounded on the bar opposite 
the town, and accosted a young citizen who was 
taking his departure for St. Louis with a horse 
cart-load of wood. 

The traveler offered to load the cart with himself 
and trunk. The proprietor remarked that his 
cart was loaded with wood. The stranger in- 
quired the value of the load, and was told it was 
worth seventy-five cents in St. Louis. — " Throw 
it off, then," said he, "and I will give you one 
dollar for transporting me to the city." The 
honest villager smoked one pipe over the propo- 
sition, and then, with the utmost civility, declined 
the proffer, politely remarking : "My fader 
have always carry wood to market. I do the 
same thing — bonjour monsieur." 

St. Louis from its Foundation, in 1764, 
To 1820. 

From the first settlement of St. Louis to 1820, 
when Missouri was admitted as a State of the 
Union, the hunters, voyageurs, trappers, and 
coureurs des bois, formed an important element 



-159- 

of its population, for from this source was obtain- 
ed a great traffic in furs and peltries. These 
hardy, robust and brave men penetrated our 
vast forests, explored extensive reg-ions, and 
navigated the most turbulent streams and rivers, 
amidst perils and dangers known only to persons 
inhabiting the great wilderness of the West. 

Nicollet well remarks that "they penetrated 
into the forest, in the midst of numberless tribes 
of Indians, till then unknown, to explore the ex- 
tensive regions, between the Mississippi and the 
Rocky Mountains, and thus created the fur trade 
of this portion of North America. That they 
possessed great courage and power of physical 
endurance, they feared neither the inclemency of 
the seasons, the pain of hunger, the arrows of 
the Indians, nor the danger of exposure to wild 
beasts ; never despairing and always cheerful, 
gifted with the warmest friendship, they knew all 
the rivers, all the paths and by-paths, and all the 
recesses of the wilderness." 



The City of St. Louis. 



The acquisition of Upper Louisiana by the 
United States, was of great advantage to the city 
of St. Louis, in its commercial, social, and polit- 
ical organization. Its central position in the 
Great West, and location upon the banks of a 



- i6o - 

monarch river, commanding a large comm.erce, 
whilst it became the nucleus of our Western 
troops, compelled the establishment ot the mail 
service, to the great convenience of the inhabit- 
ants of the valley of the Mississippi. Its rapid 
growth and gigantic strides in population, caused 
as early as 1808, the establishment of the ''Mis- 
souri Gaseteer," a newspaper, which became the 
organ of the Territorial Legislature. The great 
fur and peltry trade then grew in the far West to 
immense proportions, controling greatly the mar- 
kets of Europe. 

The future of St. Louis no one can foresee, 
its growth is that of a giant, and nothing can re- 
tard its being one of the most populous and 
wealthy cities of the world. Its extensive con- 
nections, railroad lines, and telegraphic commu- 
nications, will be unsurpassed, in the race for 
civilization. 

" Bloody Island." 



It was an island formerly opposite the City of 
St. Louis, so called from the numerous duels 
fought there. It was then within the limits of the 
State of Illinois. Fhere many fatal encounters 
took place, which brought grief and sorrow to 
numerous families. 



- i6i - 



REMARKABLE DUELS. 

I — Benton and Lucas. 

It was in the year 1817, that the famous duel 
between Senator Thomas H. Benton and Mr. 
Charles Lucas took place on " Bloody Island." 
iMr. Darby gives the following histry of it : 

'' Benton went to vote, at a greneral election ; 
Lucas challenged his vote ; Benton denounced 
him on the spot as a scoundrel. Lucas challenged 
him. They went over to " Bloody Island " just 
at sunrise, and fought. The ball from Benton's 
pistol cut one of the veins in Lucas' neck, and he 
fell. The seconds reported him unable to stand 
a second fire. Benton insisted that they should 
meet again as soon as Lucas got well. The 
bullet from Lucas' pistol merely grazed Benton's 
leg. After three months' nursing and care, Lucas 
got well. They again met at sunrise, on the 
Island, in mortal combat. They exchanged shots. 
Benton shot Lucas in the left breast ; he fell and 
expired in about twenty minutes. Before dying, 
he called Benton to him, gave him his hand, and 
told him he forgave him. Lucas never touched 
Benton with his shot. Both pistols were fired so 
simultaneously that the people on the shore, who 
heard the report, thought there had been but one 
shot." 



l62 



2. — The Fatal Duel between Major Thomas 

BiDDLE, OF THE UnITED StATES ArMY, AND 

Hon. Spencer Pettis, Member of Congress, 
August 25, 1831. 

This duel, one of the most fatal and bloody that 
occurred in the West, on Bloody Island, was be- 
tween Major Thomas Biddle and Hon. Spencer 
Pettis, occurring in August, 1831. The seconds 
were Captain Thomas and Major Ben. O'Fallon, 
of St. Louis. The cause of this duel was very 
aggravating, and difficult of compromise. The 
parties met face to face in August, 1831, on the 
field of honor, where " The pistols were then 
loaded, and put in the hands of the principals, 
who were stationed at the distance of five feet 
apart. The seconds then stood at right angles 
between the principals. The seconds then cocked 
their pistols, keeping their eyes on each other 
and on their principals. They had thrown up for 
position, when Pettis had won the choice. Every- 
thing being ready, the pistols having been loaded, 
cocked and primed, and put into the hands of the 
principals, the words were pronounced, according 
to the rule of duelling — " Are you ready?" Both 
answered, " We are." The seconds then counted 
" one — two — three." After the word was given, 
both principals fired with outstretched arms. The 



- i63 - 

pistols were twelve to fifteen inches in length and 
they lapped and struck against each other, as 
they were discharged. There was scarcely any 
chance for either to escape instant death. They 
both fired so simultaneously, that the people on 
shore heard only one report, and both men fell at 
the same time." 

This duel was characterized as one of the most 
desperate encounters, that had ever occurred in 
the Great West. Both parties were buried in 
St. Louis, Missouri. f 

Marquis de Lafayette. 

It was on the 29th day of April, 1825, that the 
steamboat " Natchez " arrived at the port at St. 
Louis, with brilliant banners and music, announ- 
cing the arrival of the distinguished Marquis de 
Lafayette, when the whole population, without 
regard to race, turned out to welcome this honor- 
ed veteran, of the New and Old Worlds. He 
was accompanied by his son, and by Mr. M. 
Levasseur his secretary, and other distinguished 
persons from New Orleans. Lafayette was hon- 
ored by a splendid banquet and ball, at the City 
Hotel. This noble and gallant friend of Wash- 
ington, was received throughout the United 
States, with open arms, and by a brilliant series 
of hospitalities and public entertainments, for his 
noble deeds in behalf of the American people. 



- 164 - 

This ovation was everywhere under triomphal 
arches, with these words inscribed, and repeated 
by the i)eople : " Welcome Lafayette." 

The steamer Natchez then proceeded to Kas- 
kaskia, with Lafayette, accompanied by Gov- 
ernor Cole of Illinois. He was driven to the 
house of General Edgar, a venerable soldier of 
the revolution, who was then surrounded by a 
few veterans. Lafayette was feasted by a public 
ball and dinner. He saw, whilst at Kaskaskia, 
an Indian woman, named Sciakape, the daughter 
of Pansiciowa, a chief of one the Six Nations, 
who, on his death-bed, gave Sciakape (the child 
of the forest,) a letter from Lafayette, written to 
her father, for his valour during the American 
Revolution, to keep as a relic and Manitou, and 
in times of tribulation of his tribe, to make use 
of it. This noble daughter of the forest pre- 
served this nearly a half a century, for the letter 
bore date June 1778. Sciakape whilst in camp 
on the Kaskaskia river, visited Lafayette at Kas- 
kaskia, showed him this letter, she had kept with 
so much care. Lafayette was overjoyed at the 
fact that he was not forgotten by the children ol 
the forest, and felt rejoiced to meet the daughter 
of this noble warrior, whom he esteemed so high- 
ly for his valor and bravery in the dark days of 
the Revolution. He complimented her for keep- 
ing so long this sacred trust, and thanked her 
from the bottom of his heart for this mark of res- 
pect and kindness. 




THE PIASA MONSTER. 



i65 



Great Fire and Cholera in St. Louis, 
In 1849. 

On the 17th of May, 1849, the steamboat 
"White Cloud," then anchored near the foot of 
Cherry street, was discovered on fire, at ten 
o'clock at night, and shortly was in flames. At 
the time the " White Cloud " was discovered on 
fire the wind blew in great force from a north- 
east direction. During this time, she became 
loosened from the wharf, and drifted down the 
current, setting on fire several other steamers 
which soon communicated with the city. The 
river and city were illuminated by this steamboat 
conflagration. This terrible fire soon extended 
from Locust to Market streets, destroying all the 
buildings between Second street and the river 
bank. 

At two o'clock A. M. on the i8th, the city res- 
ervoir was exhausted. Up to this time the 
firemen and people had done all they could to 
stop this great destruction of property. Build- 
ings were blown up, and some valuable lives lost, 
but about eight o'clock in the morning, after ten 
hours of devastation, it was quelled. The loss 
by this great fire was : twenty-three steamers, 
three barges, one canal boat, with their valuable 
cargoes, with four hundred buildings, stored with 
merchandise. The total loss was estimated at 
three millions of dollars. 



i66 



The Cholera. 

This terrible epidemic was introduced in St. 
Louis by steamers from New Orleans, in the 
latter part of 1848. It broke out in the city Jan- 
uary, 1849. and continued until August loth. 
During this year the mortality was 8,603, from 
which 4.613 died of cholera. The mortality 
among foreigners was much greater than among 
persons of American birth. Around Chouteau's 
Pond, and in the newly settled district in the 
neighborhood of Biddle street, where there were 
many sinks, holding water, the disease was most 
fatal. During this epidemic, the wind generally 
prevailed from east to southeast, accompanied by 
cloudy weather and copious rains. This mortal- 
ity was distressing and severely felt, as the pop- 
ulation of St. Louis was then about sixty thousand 
inhabitants. A gloom and pall was thrown over 
the whole city. 

Flood of 1844. 



The great rise in the Mississippi, in the year 
1844, called the " Great Flood of 1844," was 
caused by immense rains, that fell forty days and 
nights, like the dc-luge, also accompanied by the 
melting of snows from tlie mountains, gave to 



-16;^ 

the river the appearance of an immense sea. 
Opposite the city, the waters reached to the bluffs 
of IlHnois, which could be reached by steamboats. 
A great many persons, along i's banks, were 
driven from their stores and homes, and had to 
be sheliercd in warehouses and public buildings. 
Along the banks of the Mississippi, the destruc- 
tion of property was enormous, which reduced 
thousands to great want and poverty. It was 
some time before its inhabitants recovered from 
this disastrous event. 



The Grkat Bkidgk. — 1874. 

It was a great event for St. Louis and the 
country, when, on the Fourth day of July, 1874, 
the magnificent steel and iron bridge that spans 
the great Father of Waters, opposite the City of 
St. Louis, was completed, being one of the most 
useful and extraordinary works erected by the 
genius of man. It will always stand as a great 
monument of the enterprise of the citizens of St. 
Louis, and reflect great honor to the architects 
of this great work. " The first stone of the mag- 
nificent steel tubular bridge across the Mississippi 
river at this point was laid February 28th, 1868, 
since which time the work steadily progressed 
under the management of its originator and able 
chief-engineer, Captain James B. Fads. The 
bridge consists of three arches, the middle one 



- i68 - 

being 520 feet clear, and the eastern and western 
each 502 feet clear. The distance over the river 
from center to center of abutments is 1,627 feet. 
The western approach measures 1,150 feet, and 
eastern 3,500 feet ; total length of the bridge and 
approaches, 6,277 ^^^t, or one mile and about a 
sixth. The tunnel, which passes west under 
Washington avenue, and thence south under 
Eighth street, fs 5,000 feet in length. While the 
main purpose is for a railroad bridge, it is also 
open for the passage of horse cars, teams and 
pedestrians. The total cost of the bridge is esti- 
mated at between seven and eight millions of 
dollars." 

Pierre Liguest Laclede, 

The lounder of St. Louis, died and was buried at 
the village called " Poste des Arkansas," on the 
Arkansas river, on the 20th June, 1778. This 
bold, brave and indomitable adventurer has left a 
name, as enduring, as the waters of the Missis- 
sippi, that now wash the shores of St. Louis. 

It is not my purpose minutely to describe the 
public buildings of the City of St. Louis, consist- 
ing of court house, asylums, churches, school 
houses, colleges, custom house, public parks, and 
its railroad connections and wonderful telegraph 
lines, whilst at present it has reached a popula- 
tion of half a million. 



169 - 



ST. LOUIS MAGISTRATES. 

CfiAIRMEN OF THE TRUSTEES OF ST. LOUIS. 

From its Incorporation as a Town, November qth, 1S09, 10 

ITS Incorporation as a City, December qth, 1822: 



1810, Auguste Chouteau. 
i8ii, Charles Gratiot, 

1812, " " 

1813, - 

1814, Clement B. Penrose. 

1815, Elijah Beebe. 
1816, 



1S17, Elijah Beebe. 
1 8 18, Thomas F. Riddick. 
1S19, Peter Ferguson. 

1820, Pierre Chouteau, Sr. 

1821, " 

1822, Tonias McKnight, 



MAYORS OF ST. LOUIS. 
From its Incorporation as a City, December 9TH. 1822, to 1874. 



1823, Wm. Can- Lane. 

1824, " " " 

1825, " 

1826, " 

1827, " 

1828, " « " 

1829, Daniel D. Page. 

1830, " 

1831, " " - 

1832, " « '. 

1833, Samuel Merry. 

1834, John W. Johnston, 

1835, John F. Darby. 

1836, « - - 

1837, " " " 
183S, Wm. Carr Lane. 

1839, " 

1840, John F. Darby. 

1841, John D. Dao-gett. 

1842, George Maguire. 

1843, Jobn M. Wimer. 

1844, Bernard Pratte. 
1845, 

1846, Peter G. Camden. 

1847, Bryan Mullanphy. 

1848, John M. Krum. 



1849, James G. Barry. 

1850, Luther M. Kennett. 

1851, " <' ^. 

1852, " 

1853, John How. 

1854, " " 

1855, Washington King. 

1856, John How. 
1S57, John M. Wimer. 

1858, Oliver D. Filley. 

1859, " « 
i860. " " 

1861, Daniel G. Taylor. 

1862, " " <' 

1863, Chauncy I. Filley. 

1864, James S. Thomas. 
1S65, " " " 

1866, « " 

1867, " " " 

1868, " « 

1869, Nathan Cole. 

1870, " « 

1871, Joseph Brown. 

1872, " '« 

1873, " " 

1874, " 



- I/O 



III— DISTRICT OF CAPE GIRARDEAU. 



The original District of Cape Girardeau, un- 
der the Spaniards, was bounded north by La 
Riviere a la Pomme ( Apple creek), south by 
Tiwappatee Bottom, east by the Mississippi river 
and fronting said river, about thirty miles, west 
indefinitely. This territory originally was occu- 
pied by the Shawnee and Delaware Indians, who 
had several towns within its limits. 

Cape Girardeau was first settled and founded 
by Don Louis Lorimier in the year 1794. Le 
Baron de Carondelet, then Governor-General of 
Louisiana, granted to Don Louis Lorimier, 
October 26th, 1795, and January 26th, 1797, two 
tracts of eight hundred arpents in Upper Louisi- 
ana, now Missouri, fronting the Mississippi river, 
within the above district, upon which the city of 
Cape Girardeau is now located and which is situ- 
ated fifty miles above the mouth of the Ohio 
river, and one hundred and fifty miles below the 
city of St. Louis. 

Cape Girardeau lies upon a rich and beautiful 
marble formation, presents from the river a pleas- 
ant view, whilst the city is surrounded by a rich 
agricultural country, and is serpented by very 
handsome streams. 



- I/I - 

Don Louis Lorimier was a native of Canada 
and born in the year 1749 — afterwards removed 
on the Miami river, Ohio — and his family was of 
noble blood. He was a well-formed man, nearly 
six feet high, walked erect and with elastic step, 
had a handsome face and was an elegant eques- 
trian. His complexion was fair, with blue eyes. 
He had a profusion of hair, which was tied up in 
a queue, fastened with ribbons, which he used at 
times as a whip for his horse, whilst riding. Don 
Louis Lorimier was fond of dress and display. 
He had a strong sympathy for the Indians, who 
idolized him, for he usually joined them in their 
sports and wild hunts. He spoke the French, 
English and Indian languages with fluency, which 
was very advantageous to him in his intercourse 
with the hunters of the West, and the Indian 
tribes. He established at th ^ Cape a trading 
post, where he exchanged goods for furs and 
peltries. Don Louis Lorimier was in the year 
1 794 made commander of the Post of Cape 
Girardeau by the Spanish Government, who had 
then possession of Upper Louisiana, with full civil 
and military authority. 

Commandant Lorimier married in Canada, 
Charlotte Bougerville, she being a princess of 
the French-Indian half-blood. She bore him four 
sons and three daughters : Louis, Boukerville, 
Verni, Victor, Maria Louise, Agatha and Lisette. 
The two sons, Boukerville and Verni, died with- 



- 172 - 

out marriage, also Lisette, the daughter. Louis 
Lorimier, the eldest son, married Margaret 
Penny, who had the following children : Stein- 
back, Archibald, Marselette, Louisa and Odile 
Lorimier. Maria Louise married Thomas T. 
Rodney, and bore him four children : Thomas 
Jefferson, Mary, Martin and Louis Rodney. 
Agatha Lorimier, daughter of the Commandant, 
married Daniel Steinback, and they had four 
children. The Rodneys, Pennys and Steinbacks 
were early settlers at Cape Girardeau. Their 
intercourse with the Lorimier family greatly 
increased their influence, and in their descendants' 
veins courses Indian blood, like many of the old 
Virginia families. 

Charlotte Lorimier, the first wife of the Com- 
mandant Lorimier, being a Canadian and Cha- 
wanon princess, of Indian half-blood, was of 
medium height, had hair as dark as a raven's 
wing ; a woman of beautiful form, and of a volup- 
tuous beauty, though fond of ornaments in her 
apparel and dress, was exceedingly neat and 
orderly. Her instincts and love were for the 
Indians, and she always sought their friendship 
and companionship, generally partook of their 
innocent sports and amusements. She died March 
23d, 1808, and was buried in Cape Girardeau 
Cemetery, aged fifty years and two months. 
Upon her tombstone was inscribed the follow- 
ing : 




THE CEDAR PYRAMID. 



- 173 - 

To the memory of Charlotte P. B. Lorimier, consort of Major 
Louis Lorimier, who departed this 23d March, 1808, leaving four 
sons and two daughters. 

Vixit Cahokiie proeses dignissima gentis 
Et decus indigenum cjuam lapis iste tegit 
Ilia bonum didecit natura nassa magistra 
Et, duce natura, sponte sicuta bonum est 
Talis, honas memorum, nuUe cultore quotanis 
Maturat fructus mitis oleva suos. 

[translated.] 

She dwelt at Cahokia the most exalted princess of her tribe, 

By birth and natural gifts, and this slab covers her remains. 

Nature was her only mistress 

And taught her knowledge of good. 

She was like the fruitful olive tree, that yearly 

Without cultivation brings its fruits to maturity. 

Commandant Lorimier's second wife was Mary 
Bethune, being a French Delaware of the half- 
blood, who bore him two children, who both died 
in infancy. After the death of Lorimier, she 
married one Doctor John Logan, of Illinois. She 
had the reputation of being an intelligent and 
handsome woman. This Doctor John Logan 
afterwards married Miss Jenkins, sister of Gov- 
ernor Jenkins, of Illinois, who had a son named 
John A. Logan, who was a senator from Illinois, 
in the Senate of the United States. 

There is a tradition and romance, related in 
early times of Upper Louisiana of Commandant 
Lorimier and Captain Samuel Bradley, the great 
Indian fighter of the Indian Territory, which 
seems to have some foundation in fact. About 



- 174- 

three miles from Cape Girardeau there is a Span- 
ish grant in the name of Captain Samuel Bradley, 
for reasons made as follows : 

During^ the French and English war, Lorimier 
whilst acting as an officer, at Detroit, had a skir- 
mish with the English under Captain Bradley, in 
which the French were worsted, and driven to 
their block-house. Just as Lorimier jumped in 
this fort, through a port-hole. Captain Bradley 
caught him by the leg, when Lorimier cut his own 
straps, and by a sudden kick succeeded in recov- 
erine his Iqq- minus his lefj2fins and moccasins 
which were left as trophies in the hands of Cap- 
tain Bradley. Years afterwards, when Lorimier 
had become a big Spanish Don at the Cape, and 
Captain Bradley had likewise ascended to power 
and position at Vincennes, Indiana, the latter ex • 
pressed to the former a willingness to return his 
leggins and moccasins, whereupon an invitation 
was extended to visit the Cape. Captain Bradley 
and a large retinue came, were received in high 
old style, glorious times, last ditch filled up. 
everybody drunk, and as a wind-up, a grant of 
land was made to Captain Bradley in commemo- 
ration of his visit. 

Death ov Commandant Lorimier, 

Don Louis Lorimier died at Cape Girardeau 
on the 26th June, 181 2, being then sixty-four 
years of age. He was buried in the cemetery 



- 175 - 

given by him, and a plain sandstone marks his 
place of burial. It is inscribed as follows : 

To THE Memory of Major Louis Lorimier. 

A native of Canada, and first settler, 

And Commandant of the Post of Cape Girardeau, 

Under the Government of Spain, 

Who departed this life the 26th June, 18 12, 

Aged sixty-four years and three months. 

Ossa habeant pacem tumulo cineresque sepulti 

Immortali anima; luciat alma dies. 

TRANSLATION. 

Peace to his bones and his ashes, buried in the tomb. 
May the radiant light of the eternal day 
Illuminate his immortal soul. 



Civil and Military Jurisdiction. 



There was always important business before 
the commandants of the Spanish posts, both civil 
and military, and business was dispatched without 
technicalities of law and with convenience and 
without delay. As an instance of the criminal 
code, here is the order and decision of Comman- 
dant Lorimier in the case of Robert Pulllam, on 
charge of larceny : 

" 1 le is condemned to receive thirty lashes on 
his bare back, and to pay the expenses incurred 
by this prosecution, and ro return the articles 
stolen : and said John Pulliam is ordered to de- 
part from said district without further cielay, and 



- 176 - 

to appear no more therein, else he shall be liable 
to receive five hundred lashes." 



Berthelmy Cousin, the Linguist and Scien- 
tific Man of the West. 

The Spanish Commandant, Lorimier, was for- 
tunate during his administration to have such a 
compeer and friend for his secretary and inter- 
preter, as the talented Berthelmy Cousin. This 
remarkable man was the son of Marin Cousin of 
the parish of Greville, on the coast of Manche, 
or the English Channel, three leagues westward 
of Cherbourg, in France. Berthelmy Cousin was 
born on the 28th March, 1767. He left his home 
in France in 1791, for the West Indies, From 
there he crossed over to America, and finally 
located himself at Cape Girardeau. Cousin was 
of small stature, but strong and athletic, and 
became known as the " Little Frenchman." He 
became interpreter and secretary of the post of 
Cape Girardeau, during the Spanish regime in 
Upper Louisiana. 

Cousin was a man of remarkable talents and of 
various accomplishments, being a linguist, spoke 
well the Spanish, French, English and German 
languages ; and was conversant with the Indian 
dialects. He was well acquainted with the Span- 
ish and French code, and perfectly conversant 



- 177 - 

with legal papers. Owing to his services to the 
Spanish officers he was rewarded by Spain with 
valuable gfrants of land. 

Cousin was also a person of considerable erudi- 
tion, and very proficient in mathematics and the 
physical sciences. He became an accomplished 
surveyor, and in that capacity was a great benefit 
to the old inhabitants of Upper Louisiana. In 
that occupation he made a valuable friend of 
Antoine Soulard, the old surveyor of St. Louis. 
As a mark of friendship, Cousin, by his will left 
him his valuable instruments. Few men who 
settled in early times in the great West possessed 
greater talents and scholarly attainments than 
Cousin. He had a comprehensive mind and gen- 
erous impulses. Judge Robert Wilson of Cape 
Girardeau well remarked that Cousin " was what 
would be a valuable man anywhere, and at any 
time. 

Population. 



The census of 1799, under Spanish authority, 
shows that Cape Girardeau district contained five 
hundred and twenty-one persons, and that at the 
change of government in 1804 it had increased 
to one thousand two hundred and six persons. 



-178- 

City of Cape Girardeau. 

The city of Cape Girardeau was first laid out 
as a regular town in the year 1805, ^^'^ '^^^^ ^^^t 
incorporated in the year 1S24 and again in 1843. 
This city is now, in 1886, much improved in 
business ; and has good streets, and wharf, 
with railroad connection, with school houses, col- 
lege, and convent, and several churches ; also 
with a normal school supported by the State of 
Missouri, whilst its population has reached five 
thousand. 



- 179- 



IV— ST. CHARLES DISTRICT. 



St. Charlp:s District under the Spaniards, 

1769. 

This district under the Spaniards was bounded 
east by the Mississippi river, south by the Mis- 
souri river, north and west undefined. It em- 
braced an immense territory, unsurpassed in cli- 
mate and fertility of soil, bounded by magnificent 
rivers, with rolling prairies covered with beautiful 
flowers, with its great and wonderful forests. Its 
population as recorded by the Spaniards in i 799 
was eight hundred and seventy-five persons, and 
in 1804, under the United States, was fourteen 
hundred whites and one hundred and fifty slaves. 
During this period, the town of St. Charles was 
founded by Blanchette surnamed the " Le Chas- 
seur," in 1769. Its early inhabitants were Cana- 
dians and Creoles. This town was located on 
the north bank of the Missouri river, about 
twenty-four miles above its mouth. It had ori- 
ginally but one street, fronting on the river, which 
extended about one mile, and which in 1804 was 
lined with about one hundred houses. 

Subsequently to the establishment of St 
Charles the village of " Portage des Sioux " was 
settled and located by Francois Saussier on the 



- i8o- 

banks of the Mississippi river, seven miles above 
the mouth of the Missouri, on an immense prairie 
bottom. Its population in 1804 comprised about 
twenty-four families. 



A Wonderful Painting on the High Bluffs 
OF Illinois from 1673 to 1866. 

Opposite the St. Charles District there existed 
as early as 1673 on the rock bluffs of Illinois, on 
the Mississippi river above the city of Alton, a 
remarkably large, heinous painting, which was 
seen first by Marquette and Joliet, and still ex- 
isted as late as 1866. It was painted on the 
bluffs about twenty feet below the top of the cliff, 
and about sixty feet above its base. It repre- 
sented a hideous monster, being well executed 
and painted in bold colors, which stood the test 
of time until destroyed by the hand of the "white 
man." This wonderful painting was known by 
the Indians as a monster called "Piesa," and was 
held by them in great fear and horror. Nor did 
they pass by it up and down the river without 
discharging their arrows and guns upon it. This 
hideous picture seemed apparently inaccessible to 
man, and it stood as a monument of the past to 
the glory of a people unknown to-day. By whom 
painted, and, why, is buried in that gulf of the 
past. The writer of this saw it in 1837, whilst 
traveling on board of the steamer Vandalia. 



- I 



8 1 - 



Marquette states, in liis publication of same in 
Paris in 1681 : " Passing the mouth of the Illi- 
nois we soon fell into the shadow of a tall prom- 
ontory, and with oreat astonishment beheld the 
representation of two monsters painted on its 
lofty limestone front. Each of these frightful 
figures had the face of a man, the horns of a deer, 
the beard of a tiger, and the tail of a fish so long 
that it passed around the body, over the head 
and between the legs. It was an object of Indian 
worship, and greatly impressed me with the ne- 
cessity of substituting for this monstrous idolatry 
the true God." 

Reverend Walter H. Hill, in " Sketches of St. 
Louis," states that Father De Smet related that 
he heard an aged chief of the Pottawattomies at 
Council Bluffs in 1838 give the history about this 
painting : 

The Piasi, as the chief explained, being the 
bird that devoured men. An island not far from 
Alton siill bears the name Piasa, and according 
to the chief it was a favorite haunt of this bird. 
He went on to tell how " many thousand moons 
before the arrival of the white man, when the 
great mammoth that was slain by Nanabush still 
roamed over the wild grassy plains, there existed 
a very large bird that could seize and carry off a 
full-grown deer in his talons as easily as a hawk 
could take up a wren. It once pounced on an 
Indian brave, bore him off to a deep cavern under 
the neighboring cliffs and there devoured him, 



- l82 - 

From that time forth it would feed on none 
but human flesh. In its voracit)- it depopulated 
whole villages of Illinois, nor could hundreds of 
stout warriors destroy it. At length a bold chief 
named Outaga, of great fame, was commanded 
by the great Manitou, who appeared to him in a 
dream, to single out twenty warriors, with bows 
and poisoned arrows, and by them the hungry 
Piasa should be slain. 

They found the huge bird perched on a high 
rock that still bears his name and figure. All 
aimed their arrows at once and the fearful bird, 
transfixed with twenty arrows, fell dead near the 
feet of the brave chief Outaga. And to this day 
in the dark cavern near the Rock Piasa, are 
heaped the bones of many thousand Indians, 
whose flesh was food for the insatiable maw of 
this wins^ed monster. 



Les Mamelles. 

Near St. Charles originally stood two mounds, 
of retrular surface, without trees or shrubs, but 
covered with grass, which were named by the 
French " Les Mamelles ;" they had an elevation 
of about one hundred and fifty feet, they pre- 
sented from their summit a most beautiful and 
grand view of the surrounding country. 



i83- 



The Ckdar Pyramid. 



We reproduce the picture and description by 
B. A. Alderson, Esq., of the Cedar Pyramid of 
St. Charles county, as it stood years ago : 

Among the natural curiosities of our country, 
there is to be seen in Darst's Bottom, on the 
Missouri river, St. Charles county, Missouri, 
near the base of a rock cliff, which is perpen- 
dicular and two hundred feet in height, a column 
which shoots up to the height of about one hun- 
dred and sixty feet ! This vast column erected 
by the great Architect of the Universe — as a 
specimen of durability and grandeur, stands firm- 
ly as the everlasting hills ! 

Its figure is that of the frustum of a pyramid 
— or more strictly speaking an obelisk — whose 
bai:e is a rectangular parallelogram, and the mean 
of its sides twenty-eight by sixteen feet. This 
measure was made at the apex of the debris from 
the main cliff, which is about half the height of the 
column. At this height, the space between the 
column and the face of the cliff, is four feet ; and 
at the apex of the column, the distance is appar- 
ently ten or twelve feet. The cliff, and sides of 
this column which faces it are straight and 
smooth, leaving no indication that this elevated 
shaft was ever united to the main cliff. The 
material of each is a grev friable sandstone. 

On the face and summit of the cliff are numer- 



- 184 - 

ous cedars ; and upon the summit, there stands a 
Hving- cedar fifteen or twenty feet in height ! 
And a dead cedar stump, four or five feet in 
height with sprigs of grass about its roots. The 
summit is, apparently, ten or twelve feet square. 

From this spot, the intervening forest pre- 
vents a view of the Missouri river. In many 
places there is no accumulation of debris from 
the cliffs, and we see evident indicrtions that 
the Missouri river, at some anterior period, 
rolled past, — and washed the base of the Cedar 
Pyramid. 

The impression, which such scenes make upon 
the memory, together with recollections of our 
earlier history are calculated to excite a love of 
country. These recks and hills of our nritive 
land ; our lofty ranges, our mountain brooks ; our 
lengthy rivers and expanded lakes ; the brilliant 
feats achieved under our stars and stripes ; the 
darings and virtues of our ancestors ; aye, the 
very hearth-stones which we encircled in the 
days of our childhood ; the old log school house 
and the village church — scenes like these engrav- 
ed upon the tablets of memory, never to be 
erased, press upon the mind, and involuntary, 
but fervent aspirations flow out from our bosoms 
for the perpetuity of the hope af the world — our 
beloved and glorious Union. 

The witnessing of such scenes, and the in- 
duhjence of such fcelinirs, are also calculated to 
inspire one's soul with morality and reverence. 



-i85- 

For, to one whose home is on the wide spreading 
prairie — whose wanderings are by the hmpid 
stream and over rugged chlTs : -this mighty 
shaft, rising up by the side of craggy rocks, 
crowned with ever living verdure, may be likened 
to the kindlier feelings of the human heart, which 
rise up in adoration to " Him, who doeth all things 
Av II " — and form an Oasis in the garden of the 
h-art. 

Cote Sans Dessein. 



During the Spanish regime, this village was 
founded by Frenchmen, being located on the Mis- 
sissippi river near the mouth of the Osage river. 
Near this village, was an immense rock, rising 
about sixty feet, in the alluvial bottom, which was 
left by a freak of nature solitary and alone. 

The post of Cote Sans Dessein, was in early 
times attacked by a large band of savages, and 
was defended in a block-house, by two men and 
two women. The Indians assaulted this place of 
retreat in every ferocious way, and repeatedly set 
it on fire, which was put out by the courage of 
these two brave women. The defense was made 
principally by the brave and gallant Baptiste 
Louis Roy, a hunter and mountaineer, who was 
assisted greatly by his noble and brave wife. The 
result was the death of one person in the block- 
house, whilst fourteen savages were killed and 



- i86 - 

many wounded. The Gazellecr says, that "when 
the band of Indians were defeated, before leaving 
they collected a dozen small kettles, and having 
broken them to pieces, piled them around a large 
unbroken one, as a sign to the savages, who 
might follow in their trail, that one man had slain 
many Redskins." Baptiste Louis Roy was a tall, 
robust and fine looking man, being a hunter and 
mountaineer, who had witnessed, and gone 
through, some most exciting and stirring scenes 
amongst the Indians in the far West and the 
Rocky Mountains. 

For his heroic defense, the mountaineers pre- 
sented Roy with a beautiful rifle, and a silver 
vase, but owing to the last present wounding the 
feelings of his wife, he refused in a bold and man- 
ly way, to accept these presents. This noble and 
brave man, lived to an old age, and died on his 
homestead, near the city of St. Joseph, leaving 
but few children, who have all departed this life. 
A braver man never handled a western rifle. 



Daniel Boone. 



This great explorer, hunter and pioneer of Ken- 
tucky, settled in the year 1795 at "FemuK? Osage 
District," in the then St. Charles District. When 
asked why he left Kentucky, he said, "Too much 
crowded, too crowded, I want elbow room." 



-i87- 

Whilst in St. Louis, the Lieutenant-Governor of 
Louisiana g'ave him a hearty welcome, and grant- 
ed him 8,500 arpents of land on the north side of 
the .Missouri river, in the then St. Charles Span- 
ish District, upon which he built a log cabin. 

Boone, under Spanish authority, was made 
Civil and Military Commandant of the "Femme 
Osage District" on July 11, 1797. In that ca- 
pacity he gave general satisfaction to the French 
inhabitants and American pioneers of Upper 
Louisiana. 

The grant of land given to him by the Spanish 
officer at St. Louis, he neglected to have confirm- 
ed by the Spanish authority, at New Orleans, 
which claim was not made valid by the act of the 
Land Commissioner under the United States. 
This was quite a misfortune for Boone, when de- 
prived of his lands in Kentucky and Missouri. 
Afterwards the Government of the United States 
granted him only 850 acres in the Boone's Lick 
country. 

Boone, as early as 1804 to 1808, became fam- 
ous as a hunter in what is known as the Boone's 
Lick country, where he discovered valuable salt 
springs. His reputation at this time, was very 
great, as an explorer of the wilderness, and as an 
Indian fighter, amongst the pioneers of the Great 
West. 

Boone died at the residence of his son on Sep- 
tember 26, 1820, in the "Femme Osage District," 
now St. Charles county, Missouri. His remains 



• i88 - 

were buried along-side of his wife, near Marthas- 
ville, Warren county, Missouri. Their grave 
was marked by a rough slab of limestone, with a 
plain inscription. After slumbering a quarter of 
a century on Missouri soil, his body was removed 
t3 Frankfort, Kentucky, on September 13, 1845, 
by the State of Kentucky, where great respect 
and honors was paid to his remains and memory 
by that commonwealth and the people, whilst his 
grave was strewed with flowers, which homage 
was due to so remarkable a man. 



- i89 - 

V.-NE\V MADRID DISTRICT. 

From 1769 to 1S04. 



This Spanish district orio^inally was bounded 
on the north by the Tawappata Bottom, east by 
the Mississippi river, south by the Arkansas, 
west by an undefined boundary. This district 
fronting the Mississippi consisted of low, level, 
alluvion, and rich bottom lands, interspersed with 
large lakes, occasionally with some overflowed 
ground. It was traversed by beautiful streams 
and rivers, such as the St. Francis, White, 
Castor, Big Black and others, with their tribu- 
tarijs. Tiiis region of country was dotted with 
beautiful prairies, fringed by a magiiifice;":t forest, 
abounding with wild fruits. Over this territory 
roamed in great numbers the buffalo, elk, bear, 
deer, and other wild animals, whilst it swarmed 
with the wild turkey, swans, geese, ducks and 
numerous fowls in great varieties. At this early 
period under the Spanish regime, it was inhab- 
ited by the Delawares, Shawnees, Creeks and 
Cherokee Indians, hunters, vagabonds, trappers 
and voyageurs. 

Strange as it may appear, long before this, as 
early as 1541, fifty years after the discovery of 
America, De Soto, with his Spanish cavaliers. 



- 190 - 

visited this district in search of gold and silver. 
Being disappointed in this, they abandoned their 
project and retraced their steps to Florida. 

We give the following history of New Madrid, 
as related by Garcilago de la Vega, a Spanish 
chronicler : 

" It was in 1541, when De Soto and his com- 
panions crossed the " Big Swamp," and unfurling 
the great banner of Spain, entered the capital of 
Capaha amid salvos of artillery and the shouts 
of the warriors of Casquin. As many of our 
readers are not familiar with this portion of the 
history, we may say that if we are to believe the 
narrative of the veracious Garcilago de la Vega, 
himself a descendant of the Incas, De Soto, 
after he crossed the Mississippi and broke up his 
boats to preserve the nails, marched through the 
wilderness until he descried a large village con- 
taining about four hundred houses. It was seated 
on the banks of the river, the borders of which, 
as far as the eye could reach, were covered with 
luxuriant fields of maize^ interspersed with groves 
of fruit trees. This was one of the villages of 
the Caci(]ue of Cascjuin. Here the Si)aniards 
rested for six days, and then resuming their 
journey they marched through a populous cham- 
paign country, where the land was more elevated 
and th(i soil less alluvial than any tliey liad yet 
seen on the bord(n*s of the Mississippi. The 
fields were overllowingly beautiful, the pecan nut. 



- 191 - 

the red and gray plum and mulberry trees grew 
there in abundance. In two days they came to 
the chief town, where the Cacique resided. It 
was seated on the same side of the river, about 
seven leagues above, and in a very fertile and 
populous country. Here they were well received 
by the Cacique, who made him (De Soto) presents 
of mantles, skins and fish, and invited De Soto 
to lodge in his habitation. It stood on a high, 
artificial hill. 

" The region thus described evidently refers to 
the chain of hill-land extending from Little Prairie 
in Pemiscot county to New Madrid. After re- 
maining at this place some time, the Cacique im- 
plored De Soto as follows : ' We supplicate you 
to pray to your God to send us rain, for our 
fields are parched for the want of water.' De 
Soto ordered a larofe cross to be framed and 
erected it on a high hill on the banks of the river 
and which served the Indians as a watch-tower, 
overlooking every eminence in the vicinity. After 
everything was prepared a solemn procession was 
formed, the Cacique walked beside De Soto, and 
the savage warriors mingled with the Spaniards, 
whilst the priests chanted the litany and the sol- 
diers responded. Thousands of savages assem- 
bled to witness the imposing ceremonies and 
watched the Spaniards. Ever and anon they 
raise] their eyes to heaven and made signs with 
their faces and hands as if asking God to listen 
to the Christians' prayers. De Soto and his 



- I()2 - 

followers were moved to tenderness to behold, 
in a strange and heathen land, savage people 
worshiping with such deep humility and tears the 
emblem of our redemption. God, in His mercy, 
says the Spanish chronicler, willing to show these 
heathen that He listens unto those who call upon 
Him in truth, sent down in the middle of the 
ensuing night a plenteous rain, to the great joy 
of the Indians. 

" After remaining at Casquin ten days Oe Soto 
gave orders to march. The Cacique of Casquin 
obtained permission to accompany him with his 
warriors. His object was to wreak his vengeance 
on the neighboring Cacique of Capaha. A war 
had existed between them for several generations. 
The march from Casquin to Capaha is fully de- 
scribed, and after marching three days they came 
to a great swamp, miry on the borders, with a 
lake in the center, too deep to be forded, and 
which formed a kind of gulf on the Mississippi, 
into which it emptied itself." Across this piece 
of water the Indians of Cascjuin constructed a 
rude bridge of trunks of trees. This swamp, 
and which is the " 13ig Swamp," separated Cas- 
quin and Capaha. It required one day to cross 
this swamp. The ne.xt day De Soto marcheci to 
Capaha and took possession of the place. The 
inhabitants had all fled to an island in the river, 
and the warriors of Casquin ravaged the terri- 
tory. 

" De Soto sent envoys to Capaha with proffers 



- 193 - 

of friendship, which were indig-nantly rejected. 
Then the Spaniards and their alhes resolved to 
attack them, and accordingly invaded the island. 
Owing, however, to the pusillanimity of their 
allies the Spaniards were compelled to retreat to 
their canoes. But for the forbearance of Capaha 
the soldiers of De Soto would have been over- 
whelmed. On the next day, Capaha sent four 
of his principal warriors as an embassy to De 
Soto. The)- came with great ceremony ; bowed 
to the sun and moon and then to De Soto, but 
took no notice of Casquin. They were received 
with great affability and went away well pleased 
with their reception. On the next day, the 
Cacique of Capaha, attended by a train of a 
hundred warriors, covered with beautiful plumes, 
and with mantles of all kinds of skins, came to 
see De Soto. Capaha was about twenty-six years 
old, of noble form and princely demeanor. He 
was received by De Soto as a friend. De Soto 
remained for some time at Capaha. He sent 
some of his followers to search for gold and silver 
further north." 

New Madrid Under the Spaniards in 1769. 

The Territory of New Madrid, at this period, 
became subject to Spain, a region of country of 
great beauty, fertility and resources, equal in pro- 
ductiveness to the Nile of Egypt. Its remarkable 



- '94 - 

richness of soil and its hunting-grounds, gave it 
the name of " L'Anse a la Graisse " (Cove of 
Fat.) 

The town of New Madrid was laid out in 1787, 
on a very large scale — to eclipse even the city of 
Madrid, in Spain — b)- Colonel George Morgan, 
of New Jersey, formerly an American officer, 
who acquired a large concession of land for that 
purpose from the Spanish officers at New Orleans. 
After inducing some fifty emigrants to settle at 
New Madrid, charges were made against Mor- 
gan, by General James Wilkinson, during his 
intrigues with Spain, and by others, which in- 
duced Governor Miro to cancel the concessions 
of land to Morgan, denouncing the whole project, 
by his letter of May 29th, 1789, to Morgan ; and 
that Spain would establish a fort at New Madrid, 
and that a detachment of Spanish soldiers would 
guard there the interests of Spain. Colonel Mor- 
gan, stripped of his large concessions and power, 
returned to the United States, much disappointed 
at the failure of his great project. 

Spanish Commandants. 



Soon after this, New Madrid was made a Span- 
ish post, and Don Fouche was made its Spanish 
commandant in the year 1 789. Owing to its 
mixed population then, he established a fort 
named " Fort Celeste." Don Fouche promul- 



- 195 - 

gated the laws of Spain, regulated the land neces- 
sary for the t*;\vn and its inhabitants, and brought 
order out of chaos. 

He was succeeded in office by Don Thomas 
Portell, a Spaniard, in 1791, who held this posi- 
tion for five years, or until December, 1796. 

Don Pierre A. Laforge, notary public, states 
that " Don Portell was a man of distinguished 
merit, equally in the military as in the cabinet, 
was superior to his position, and if he failed, it 
was because he did not place himself on a level 
with the sort of people he had to govern." 

The principal population, at the time, consisted 
of Indians, traders, hunters and boatmen, and a 
few enterprising emigrants. Unfortunately for 
the prosperity of New Madrid, the great amount 
of game in the country made its settlers neglect 
the cultivation of its rich lands. 

During the command of Don Portell, five Span- 
ish galleys, arrived from New Orleans, for the 
protection of the post and to protect the naviga- 
tion of the Mississippi ; they were detained there 
a whole summer, but owing to the want of corn 
and flour, the commandant of New Madrid post, 
had to order it from Kentucky and the "Illinois." 
After this, a few F'rench and American families, 
turned their serious attention to agriculture. 

Don Portell was succeeded in office by Don 
Carlos Dehault Delassus, who served in that ca- 
pacity from December, 1796 to August, 1799. 
Don Delassus was an active and g-ood com- 



- 196 - 

mandant, and gave general satisfaction during his 
administration, and left New Madrid to act at 
St. Louis as Lieutenant-Governor of Upper 
Louisiana. 

Don Henri Peroux, in August, 1799, became 
commandant of the post at New Madrid, when its 
population had then reached 782 persons, and 
served in this capacity until 1804. During this 
time, there existed roving vagabond Indians, who 
committed ofreat barbarities in killinp', stealinor 
and burning houses, from the Merrimac river to 
New Madrid. In 1802 an inhabitant at New 
Madrid, named David Trotter, having been killed 
and his house burnt, whilst otlicr atrocities were 
continually taking place in Upper Louisiana, 
Lieutenant-Governor Delassus was compelled 
to organize the Spanish militia into service in 
December 1802. The companies organized were 
the following : 

One company from St. Genevieve commanded 
by Captain Don Francis Valle. 

One company from Cape Girardeau command- 
ed by Captain Don Louis Lorimier, 

One company from New Bourbon commanded 
by Captain Don Camille Delassus. 

One company from New Madrid commanded 
by Captain Don Henri Peroux. 

"This militia was ordered to meet at the Post 
of New Madrid, where Lieutenant-Governor Don 
Carlos Dehault Delassus took command. These 
several commanders, arrested several savages, 




DANIEL BOONE. 



- 197 - 

and held them as prisoners. They were mostly 
of the Maschow nation, called Tallaposa Creeks. 
A military council was held at New Madrid Fort, 
where the principal Indian criminal, Tewanaye, 
was condemned and put to death in the presence 
of the Spanish militia, and in presence of Indian 
chiefs and Indians." 



Little Prairie. 



During Peroux's command at New Madrid, 
the village of Little Prairie was established by 
Captain Francis Lessieur, a Canadian, who took 
command of this village, which was settled by 
Canadians and Creoles, with pioneers from Ken- 
tuck\' and Virginia, and became a flourishino- vil- 
lage, being thirty miles below New Madrid. 

During the Spanish regime at New Madrid, 
many prominent men settled there ; amongst 
them were Pierre A. Laforge, John Lavalle and 
Dr. Richard Waters, who acted in difterent offic- 
ial capacities. Hon. William S. Moseby says 
that "They were men of considerable energy, 
generall)' highly educated, easy in circumstances, 
endowed with good sense, affable in manners, and 
SODU acquired great influence in the community, 
and became leading spirits of the infant colony." 



United States Cover; me: t — 1804. 

The United States, by treaty with France, took 
possession of New Madrid District in 1804. Its 
population then was thirteen hundred and fifty 
(1,350) including 150 slaves, about 400 capable of 
bearing arms. This district under the American 
flag, was improving rapidly in population and 
wealth, when it met with one of the most disas- 
trous occurrences, being the terrible earthquakes 
of 1811-1812, which caused its inhabitants sud- 
denly to abandon the country and their homes. 

We give the following description of the New 
Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12, by the Hon. 
Lewis F. Linn, the model Senator of Missouri, 
written in February, 1836, — and a description of 
New Madrid, at this period : 

" The memorable earthquake of December, 
181 I, after shaking the valley of the Mississippi 
to its center, vibrated along the courses of the 
rivers and valleys, and, passing the primi- 
tive mountain barriers, died away along the 
shores of the Atlantic ocean. In the region now 
under consideration, during the continuance of 
so ap[)alling a phenomenon, which commenced 
by distant rumbling sounds, succeeded by dis- 
charges as if a thousand pieces of artillerj- were 
suddenly exploded, the earth rocked to and fro, 
and vast chasms opened, from whence issued col- 
umns of water, sand, and coal, accompanied by 



- 199 ■ 

hissing sounds, caused, perhaps, by the escape 
of pent-up steam, while ever and anon flashes of 
electricity gleamed through the troubled clouds 
of night, rendering the darkness doubly horrible. 
The current of the Mississippi, pending this ele- 
mental strife, was driven back upon its source 
with the greatest velocity for several hours, in 
consequence of an elevation of its bed. But this 
noble river was not thus to be stayed in its course. 
Its accumulated waters came booming on, and, 
o'ertopping the barrier thus suddenly raised, car- 
ried everything before them with resistless power. 
Boats, then floating on its surface, shot down the 
declivity like an arrow from a bow, amid roaring 
billows and the wildest commotion. A few days' 
action of its powerful current sufiiced to wear 
away every vestige of the barrier thus strangely 
interposed, and its waters moved on in their 
wonted channel to the ocean. The da)' that sue 
ceeded this night of terror brought no solace in 
its dawn. Shock followed shock ; a dense black 
cloud of vapor overshadowed the land, through 
which r.o struggling sunbeam found its way to 
cheer the desponding heart of man, who, in silent 
communion with himself, was compelled to ac- 
knowledge his weakness and dependence on the 
everlasting (iod. The appearances that presented 
themselves after the subsidence of the principal 
commotion were such as strongly support i.n 
opinion heretofore advanced. Hills had disap- 
peared, and bkes were found in their stead ; and 



- 200 - 

numerous lakes became elevated ground, over 
the surface of which vast heaps of sand were 
scattered in every direction, while in many places 
the earth for miles was sunk below the general 
level of the surrounding country, without being 
covered with water, leaving an impression in 
niiniaturc of a cafastropJie nnicJi more imporlnnt 
in its cff^rfs, wJiich had ^ perhaps, preceded, it ages 
before. 

" One of the lakes formeel on this occasion is 
sixty or seventy miles in length, and from three 
to twenty miles in breadth. It is in some places 
very shallow ; in others from fifty to one hundred 
feet deep, which is much more than the depth of 
the Mississippi river in that quarter. In sailing 
over its surface in the light canoe, the voyager 
is struck with astonishment at beholding tJK? giant 
trees of the forest standing partially exposed 
amid a waste of waters, branchless and leafless. 
But the wonder is still further increased on cast- 
ing the e)e on the dark-blue profound, to observe 
canebrakes covering its bottom, over which a 
mammoth species of testudo is occasionally seen 
dra<J'<^'^in<>' his slow lencrth alonof while countless 
myriads of fish are sporting through the aquatic 
thickets. But, if (iod in His wrath has passed over 
this devoted land ; if He touched the mountains 
and they disappeared in the abyss, his beneficent 
influence is still felt in its soft climate, the unex- 
ampled iertilit)- of its soil, the eleep verdure of its 
forests, and choicest offerings of Flora. The lost 



- 20I - 

hills or islands before: mentioned are of various 
dimensions ; some twenty or thirty miles in cir- 
cumference, others not so large, and some are 
even diminutive in size, but of great altitude, 
occasionally furnished with fountains of living 
waters, and all well timbered. The low grounds 
are in the form of basins, connected by sinuses, 
which not being as deep as the bott"»m of their 
reservoirs, so that when an inundation takes p'ace, 
either from the Mississippi river or streams issu- 
ing from the surrounding highlands, they are 
filled to overflowing ; and when the waters recede 
below a level with these points of communication, 
they become stagnant pools, passing off by the 
process of infiltration which is very slow, in a 
thick, black, tenacious loam, or by evaporation 
equally gradual, in a country covered by forests 
and impenetrable jungle. An interesting ques- 
tion now presents itself, certainly one deeply 
interesting to the people of Missouri and Arkan- 
sas. What can be done to render this extraor- 
dinary country a fit habitation for man ? In its 
present condition it is nearly useless, affording 
winter pasturage for some herds of cattle belonging 
to farmers on its borders, and a safe cover to 
bands of wild savage animals, on the destruction 
of which a few hunters gain a precarious exist- 
ence, amid noisome exhalations and venomous 
reptiles. The government of the United Statec, 
lord over millions upon millions of acres of land, 
possessing every advantage, will not, in all prob- 



- 202 - 

ability, for ag:s to come, incur a heavy expense 
for the purpose of reclainiinf^ this country from 
its present deplorable condition, unless commens- 
urate good could be effected. There will be no 
d fficulty in finding motives in the cupidity or 
interest of Congress (if in no better motive) to 
make a liberal appropriation for this object. 

" By clearing the St. Fran(^ois of its rafts, a 
much larger volume of water will flow in its chan- 
nel, which is now spread over the country, to be 
again returned by in its osculating branches ; which 
concentration of its water would, from year to 
year, augment its depth at places where the rafts 
existed, which, with deepening the points of com- 
munication between the lakes and bayous, so as 
to permit a continual current to flow onward to the 
Mississippi or St. I'^-an^ois, woulci reclaim a mil- 
lion or two acres of land, surpassing in fertility the 
famous borders of the Nile. To those who have 
never visited the far West, the great basin is rich 
beyond conception ; and in the autumnal season, 
when teeming with the rankest vegetable produc- 
tions, in an active state of decomposition, its 
liberated miasma, borne on the wings of the wind, 
have a most deleterious influence on the health 
of those who reside in the contiguous counties, 
furnishing an additional argument for using exer- 
tions to reclaim it." 



- 203 - 

We here give a picture and part of description 
of these earthquakes by Henry Howe of the 
Great West : 

" There were a number of severe shocks, but 
two series of concussions were particularly terri- 
ble, far more so than the rest. The shocks were 
clearly distinguishable into two classes : those in 
which the motion was horizontal, and those in 
which it was perpendicular. The latter were at- 
tended with explosions, and the terrible mixture 
of noises that preceded and accompanied the 
earthquakes in a louder degree, but were by no 
means so desolating and destructive as the other. 
Then the houses crumbled, the trees waved to- 
gether, the ground sunk ; while ever and anon 
vivid Hashes of lio^htnino^ cjleamintr through the 
troubled clouds of night, rendered the darkness 
doubly horrible After the severest shocks, a 
dense black cloud of vapour overshadowed the 
land, tnrough which no struggling sunbeam found 
its way to cheer the heart of man. The sulphur- 
etted gases that were discharged during the 
shocks tainted the air with their noxious effluvia, 
and so impregnated the water of the river for one 
hundred and fifty miles, as to render it unfit for 
use." 

Godfrey Lesieur, an intelligent and remarkable 
man residing at New Madrid, witnessed these 
earthquakes, and gives the following account : 



- 204 - 

" The first shock was at about 2 o'clock a. m., 
on the nig^ht of December 16, 181 1 , and was very 
hard, shaking down log houses, chimneys, &c. 
It was followed at short intervals, half to one 
hour apart, by comparatively slight shocks, until 
about 7 o'clock in the morning, a rumbling noise 
was heard in the west, resembling and not unlike 
distant thuncier, and in an instant the earth began 
to shake and totter to such a degree that no per- 
sons were able to stand or walk. This lasted 
perhaps one minute. At this juncture the earth 
was observed to be as it were rollings in waves of 
a few feet in height, with a visible depression be- 
tween. By and by those swells or waves were 
seen to burst, throwing upwards large volumes of 
water, sand, and a species of charcoal, some of 
which were covered, in part, with a substance, 
which, by its peculiar odor, was thought to be 
sulphur. When these swells bursted, large, wide 
and lonof fissures were left, runnin^i^ north and 
south parallel with each other for miles. I have 
seen some that were four or five miles in length, 
and, on an average, about four feet deep and ten 
feet or less wide. The rumbling noise before 
mentioned, the waves, etc., appeared to come 
from the west, and traveled, as it seemed, east- 
ward. After this, slight shocks, var)ing in se- 
verity, were, at intervals, felt until the 7th ol Jan- 
uary, 181 2, when the country was again visited 
by another earthquake, equally as violent as the 
two first, and characterized by the same frightful 



- 205 - 

results. Then it was that the cry arose among 
the people " sauve qui pent''' (save who can), and 
all but two families left the country, leaving all 
their property, consisting of cattle, hogs, horses, 
and portions ot their household effects. These 
proved a total loss in the end, because itinerant 
adventurers from other parts, aided by some 
others, actuated from motives of cupidity, it was 
said, carried away in flatboats to Natchez and 
New Orleans all the stock save what they did not 
slaughter. I omitted to mention that after the 
terrible shock of the 7th of January . slight ones 
from time to time were felt. This lasted until the 
I 7th of February, when another very severe one, 
having the same effects as the others, visited the 
country and caused great injury to the land, in 
formini'- more extensive fissures, sinkine hio-h 
land and forming it into lakes, making deep lakes 
hiofh land. 

"Many of these are now under cultivation, and 
have proven to be the richest and most productive 
lands in Southeast Missouri. The damaged and 
torn- up portion was not very extensive, embrac- 
ing a circumference of not more than one hundred 
and fifty miles, taking the old town of Little 
Prairie, now called Caruthersville, as the center. 
A very large extent of country on either side 
of the White Water, called here Little river, 
also on both sides of the St. Francis river in 
this State and Arkansas, also on the Reelfoot 
bayou, in Tennessee, was sunk below the for- 



- 206 - 

mer elevation about ten feet, thus rendering 
that region of country entirely unfit for culti- 
vation. 

"It is a remarkable fact, and worthy of no- 
tice, that so few casualties occurred during those 
terrible convulsions. Among the citizens there 
were but two deaths, both victims being women. 
One, Mrs. Lafont, died from fright, while the 
earth was shaking and rocking. The other, 
Mrs. Jarvis. received an injury from the fall of 
a cabin log, from which she died a few days 
after, Not so fortunate were Hat-boat men, 
many of whom must have perished, judging 
from the number of debris seen floating, and 
from the river being partly covered with freight, 
such as barrels of flour, pork, whiskey and 
oiher products. 

"A man, whose name I have forgotten, who 
was moving from Tennessee with his family, a 
w ife and seven children, and a young married man 
U) help on the flatboat, to Arkansas, were all lost 
but himself. He saved his life on a plank after 
the boat capsized, but the whole of his family were 
drowned. A man named Glasscock, and family, 
six or eight in number, were all lost at Island 
No. 1 6. The boat on which he was moving, 
it is supposed, was also capsized." 

In the month of February. i8 i 5, by represen- 
tations made to Contrress throuiifh Colon(;l Rufus 
Kaston, then del(\gate from Missouri territory, in 



207 

act was passed by that body for the rehef of suf- 
ferers by earthquakes in New Madrid county, 
which act was approved February i 7th. At that 
lime all mail facilities had been stopped to this 
county on account of the terrible ravages of said 
earthquakes. Consequently all news from \\^ls]■l- 
ington was slow in reaching this portion of the 
country. In a very few days after the passage 
of the law mentioned, it was known in St. Louis. 
This was sufficient to arouse and excite the cu- 
pidity of sharpers, which afforded them so prom- 
ising an opportunity to make fortunes, and many 
of them did realize their most sanguine expecta- 
tions. The whole country was Hooded with those 
speculators before the people were informed of 
ihe relief act passed by Congress. The result 
iMOwing out of so dishonest and unfair proceed- 
ings proved far more disastrous than had been 
experienced by the ravages of the earthquakes. 
In many instances whole sections of land were 
sold at from $/\.o to $60, and grants of a less 
quantity of acres were sold at about the same 
rates. Certificates of location were issued by the 
recorder of land titles at St. Louis in lieu of the 
injured claims, which were relinquished to the 
government. Those certificates w^ere mostly lo- 
cated in what w^as then called " The Boonslick 
country," comprising now some of the most 
prosperous and rich counties in Missouri. The 
greater portion of those locations would readily 
have brought from ten to fifteen dollars per acre, 



208 



now worth probably fifty to one hundred dollars 
an acre. And mark — the clauns sold as above 
indicated, were paid for in worthless, depreciated 
Missouri bank notes ; the banks very soon failed, 
and thus the people were doubly swindled. 



Audubon about the Earthquakes of i8ii-i2' 



At this period Audubon, the ornithologist, was 
traveling in Western Kentucky and reports the 
following : 

" The western section of Kentucky, and the 
banks of the Mississippi suffered from a severe 
shock of earthquake." What he heard he imag- 
ined to be the distant rumbling of a violent 
tornado. 

"On which," says he, " I spurred my steed, 
with a wish to gallop as fast as possible to a place 
of slu'lter. But it would not do ; the animal 
knew better than 1 wliat was fortlicoming, and 
instead of going faster, so nearly stopped that I 
remarked he placed one foot after another on the 
ground with as much precaution as if walking on 
a smooth sheet of ice?. I thought he had sudden- 
ly foundered, and, sj)eaking to him, was on point 
of dismounting and leading him, wlien hc^ all of a 
sudden fell a-groaning piteously, hung his head, 
spread out his forelegs, as if to save himself from 



- 209 ' 

falling, and stood stock still, continuing to groan. 
I thought my horse was about to die, and would 
have sprung from his back had a minute more 
elapsed ; but at that instant all the shrubs and 
trees began to move from all their very roots, the 
ground rose and fell in successive furrows, like 
the ruffled waters of a lake, and I became bewil- 
dered in my ideas, as I too plainly discovered, 
that all this awful commotion was the result of an 
earthquake. 

" I had never witnessed anything of the kind 
before, although like every person, I knew earth- 
quakes by description. But what is description 
compared with reality ! Who can tell the sensa- 
tions which I experienced when I found myself 
rocking, as it were, upon my hf)rse. and with him 
moving to and fro like a child in a cradle, with 
the most imminent danger around me. The 
fearful convulsion, however, lasted only a few 
minutes, and the heavens again brightened as 
quickly as they had become obscure ; my horse 
brought his feet to the natural position, raised his 
head, and galloped off as if loose and frollicking 
without a rider." 

He further states that the earthquake produced 
serious consequences at New Madrid, and for 
some distance on the Mississippi, the earth was 
rent asunder in several places, one or two islands 
sunk forever, and the inhabitants who escaped 
Hed in dismay towards the eastern shores. 



- 2 10 



Submerged Lands of Missouri. 

The followinor Report on the Submerged 
Lands of the State of Missouri was presented 
by Firmin A. Rozier, as chairman of Sub- 
merged Lands of Missouri, to the famous 
convention presided over by John C. Calhoun, of 
South Carohna, held at Memphis, Tennessee, in 
November, 1845, ^"^ ^'^^ adopted by that impor- 
tant convention. It shows the situation and over- 
flowed lands in Missouri and Arkansas at that 
period, in the year 1845, 

Report on the Submerged Lands of the 
State of Missouri. 

" The deepest interest is felt by the inhabitants 
of the State of Missouri and the neighboring 
States to reclaim the submerged lands of the State 
of Missouri. The whole Union longs to see these 
immense tracts of land, which now lay desolate 
and unfit for cultivation, made to smile by the in- 
dustrious hand of man. It is of the most vital 
importance to the West and South that the sub- 
merged lands should be drained and reclaimed, 
and rendered inhabitable. The portion of the State 
of Missouri inundated, comprises the counties 
of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Wayne. 
Dunklin and New Madrid. There is about 2,160 



- 21 1 - 

square miles which are low and swampy lands in 
the above counties. A great portion of the above 
counties is covered with water, and possesses an 
alluvial soil, the lands are low and marshy, inter- 
spersed by streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, bayous, 
bogs and marshes : although a part of the swamps 
is not submerged by water the whole year ; but 
the waters remaining stagnant on these low and 
marshy lands during the hot summer become 
very impure and putrid. The vegetation being 
very rank and abundant on this rich and marshy 
soil, mixes with the putrid waters, and when de- 
composed fills and renders the atmosphere impure 
and unhealthy, which adds greatly to disease ; 
and, as the waters are dried up from these 
swamps, there is a sediment, stench and poison 
left on them that causes disease and death, not 
only to those that live on their borders, but, like- 
wise, to the inhabitants that live in the vicinity. 
A great portion of these swamps is not sus- 
ceptible for the habitation of man, except a 
numberless group of Islands interspersed, which 
are occupied during certain seasons of the year 
by trappers and hunters. It is a remarkable fact, 
that there is a chain of low, level and marshy 
lands, commencing at the city of Cape Girardeau, 
in Missouri, and extending to the Gulf of Mexico ; 
and between these two points there is not a rock 
landing except at the small town of Commerce, 
on the west side of the Mississippi river : there, 
is furthermore, only one ridge of high land from 



- 2 12 - 

Commerce to be met with on the west side of said 
river, which is at Helena, in Arkansas. From 
the city of Cape Girardeau, runnino- into the 
State of Arkansas, there is a strip or tongue, 
350 miles long, of beautiful and excellent lands, 
along the western margin of the Mississippi, 
which is well inhabited, having an averaofe of ten 
miles wide, and is entirely cut off, and stands isolat- 
ed from the interior of Missouri and Arkansas, by 
the great swamps lying west of it, and deprives 
and cuts off all communication from the interior 
southern part of Missouri and northern part of 
Arkansas, for the distance above mentioned, to 
the Mississippi river. The inconvenience experi- 
enced and felt by the inhabitants west of these 
swamps in not being able to get the fruits of their 
labor to market, is very unprofitable and injurioLis 
to the commerce of the above mentioned States. 
The lands west of these swamps are very fertile 
and rich ; the timber is unsurpassed in size and 
beauty. It is much to be regretted that all inter- 
course with this beautiful country, in the interior 
of Missouri and Arkansas, is thus cut oft", produc- 
ing incalculable injury in point of commerce and 
agriculture. 

The earthquakes of 181 i- 12, proved very 
injurious and disastrous to the south of Missouri, 
and were felt far and wide. They changed the 
course of the streams and rivers, which occasioned 
the waters to spread in every direction, and 
made high land where it was low previous, and 



- 213 - 

in elevated places sunk them — thus causing the 
rivers and streams to overflow a great extent of 
country. These earthquakes of 1811-12, are still 
remembered by many of our oldest settlers ; 
when the whole land was moved and waved like 
the waves of the sea, and the majestic oak bent 
his head to the ground like a weed, and the 
terrible fact that the waters of the mighty Mis- 
sissippi, opposite to the town of New Madrid, 
rolled up stream for ten miles, carrying on its 
bosom barks, keel-boats and every species of 
crafts, with a rapidity unknown, and causing 
destruction of property and life. 

The swamps commence below the city of Cape 
Girardeau and extend to Brown's farm six miles 
below Cape Girardeau. This is the head of 
White Water or Little River swamps, which are 
divided from St. Jolin's swamps by a chain of 
high lands, in the shape of a horse-shoe, in Scott 
county. This high land is eighteen miles long 
and ten miles wide, and extends from Cape La- 
creuse river to the town of Commerce, on the 
Mississippi river. Then from the town of Benton, 
which is on said chain of high lands, in Scott 
county, there is a tongue of land that extends to 
New Madrid, on which the laro^e New Madrid 
road runs ; the length of the road is thirty-eight 
miles, called King's Road. Established by the 
Spaniards, it starts from Cape Girardeau, passes 
Brown's farm, runs to Benton, to Halcap's farm, 
then to New Madrid. This Kino's Road runs on 



- 214" 

n tongue of lind three miles wide; and makes 
the line of division between the swamps of White 
Water or Little River on the west, and St. John's 
swamps on the east of said road. Let it be par- 
ticularly remarked, that the waters that flow east 
of the said King's Roal empty into St. John's 
swamps, and all the waters west of said road 
empty into WhiteWiteror Little River swamps. 

There are four large swamps that originate in 
Missouri; that is to say, the White Water or 
Little River swamps, the St. John's swamps, the 
James' swamps, and the St. Francis swamps. 

The White Water or Little River swamps 
commence below Cape Girardeau, and lie im- 
mediately owes of said New Madrid road, except 
a small chain of it that extends along Cape La- 
creuse river, which flows into the Mississippi, four 
miles below Cape Girardeau City, and are on the 
northern side of said chain of liigh hills that forms 
Horse Shoe, in Scott county : and then these 
swamps flow into New Madrid and Dunklin 
counties ; then flowing into the State of Arkan- 
sas, and empty into St. Francis river, at a point 
west of Greenock in Crittenden county, in Arkan- 
sas. Their length in the State of Missouri, in a 
straight direction, is 103 miles, and 10 miles wide 
on an average, covering the counties of Cape 
Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Dunklin and New 
Madrid. These swamps are made by the over- 
flow of tlie Mississippi river at their head, be- 
tween the city of Cape Girs^rdeau and the mouth 



- 215 - 

of Cape Lacreuse ; and by the lakes and streams 
on the west side of said swamps, and the Castor 
river, which empty said swamps of White Water 
or Little River. 

" The St. John's swamps commence below the 
town of Commerce, and at St. John's lake ; and 
it is well to suggest, that this said lake is filled 
with rich iron bog ore, a specimen of which can 
be seen in my possession ; and then the swamp 
continues to flow on the east side of \ew Madrid 
road, and empties itself into St. John's bayou, 
Just at the town of New Madrid. These St. 
John's swamps are forty-five miles long and 
six miles wide. These swamps submerge the 
counties of Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid, 
and are formed by the waters of Lake St. John 
and the overflow of the Mississippi river. 

" The James' swamps lie between the St. John's 
swamps and the Mississippi river, which submerge 
the county of Mississippi, and empty into 
James' bayou, at the dividing line between New 
Madrid and Mississippi counties. The James' 
swamps are thirty miles long and ten miles wide ; 
between the swamps St John's and James', are 
Mathews, East, and Long Prairies, which are 
good lands. The James' swamps are formed by 
the overflow of the Mississippi river. 

" The St. Francis swamps commence in Wayne 
county, fifteen miles below Greenville ; then divid- 
ing Stoddart and Wayne counties, and Dunklin 
in Missouri, and Green county in Arkansas ; and 



- 2l6 - 

I hen continue their course to a point west of 
Memphis, in Tennessee. The St. Francis swamps 
in Missouri are seventy-five miles long, and ten 
to twelve miles wide, and from the Missouri line, 
extend about seventy-five miles in Arkansas, in 
width, about twenty miles, and then lose them- 
selves into the St. F"rancis river. 

" The amount of submerged lands in Missouri 
is 2,160 square miles, as far as it can be ascer- 
tained at the Land Office, making i ,328,400 acres. 
The reclaiming of these lands would afford suffi- 
cient remuneration to justify this vast undertak- 
ing. The lands are now valueless, and can 
never be made available without being drained 
and reclaimed. The proper manner of reclaiming 
these lands would be for the General Government 
to cede these submerged lands to the States, 
with the special condition enjoined upon the State 
of reclaiming them. The State would feel more 
interest in executing this work, for it would come 
under its immediate concern, and for the expense 
attending this work the State would be repaid by 
the sales of the reclaimed lands. The General 
Government cr.n never dispose of these inundated 
lands, nor the fertile lands bordering on these 
swamps, without their being reclaimed, for no 
human beincr can inhabit on the borders of these 
lands without endangering his life. The voice of 
humanity speaks aloud, that these lands should be 
rendered fit for cultivation and for the habitation 
of man. Some of the best inhabitants of our 



' 2I7 - 

State, and old settlers of the country, live on the 
borders of these swamps. It is well known tha" 
they sufferered much from the earthquakes of 
1811 and 181 2; and they braved many dangers 
in the last war, in the struggle with savages; — i: 
is but just, generous and equitable, that the 
Government should render their and their chil- 
dren's situation comfortable and wholesome. 

" There exist strange and unknown diseases of 
the most dreadful and malignant character — deal- 
ing death in every direction, and spreading 
throughout the southern part of Missouri terror 
to its inhabitants. The poisonous winds blowing 
over swamps, seem to carry on their wings, death 
to the young, hardy, strong, infirm and old alike. 
These lands are now vakieless. These low lands 
are susceptible of being reclaimed ; if so, would 
be unsurpassed in richness ot soil, excellence of 
timber, and would invite thousands of immigrants 
to inhabit them ; and towns and villages would 
spring up in the whole country, and an active 
population would cover its whole extent, — the 
lands would be made to smile with rich harvests 
that would cover its surface — the south of Mis- 
souri would be one of the garden spots of the 
West; for its lands would be level and beautiful, 
and would be as fertile as any on the face of the 
globe. 

" All of which with the accompanyiuL^ Map is 
respectfully submitted. 



-2l8- 

" I therefore propose the following resolution : 

" Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conven- 
tion — it is both the interest and duty of the Gen- 
eral Government to cede the inundated lands to 
the States in which they lie, with the special con- 
dition to drain and reclaim them." 

" FiRMiN A. RoziER, Chairman." 



The Town of New Madrid in 1850. 

Hon. William Mosely, in 1850, stated: " "he 
encroachments of the Mississippi, have almost 
swept what was once New Madrid and Little 
Prairie. The old fort, the quaint old churches, 
their cemeteries, where the remains of the early 
fathers rested after the journey of life, all, all, lie 
beneath the turbid waters of the mad river ; in a 
few years more, there will scarcely be track or 
trace to point the stranger, where once stood 
New Madrid and Little Prairie." 



New Town of Madrid. 

When the constitution of Missouri was adopted 
in 1820, New Madrid was represented in that 
Convention by Hon. Robert D. Dawson and 
Christopher G. Houts, for at that period this new 
town w^as planned and laid out. 



- 219 - 

Out of the old Spanish district of New Madrid, 
many counties have been formed in the States 
of Arkansas and Missouri. This period of 1889, 
finds the old Span'sh district, which is now inter- 
sected and spanned by different railroids, filling- 
rapidly with a thriving and active populat'on. 

Such are the ways of Providence. 



- 220 - 



PART VII. 



LOUISIANA TERRITORY. 



MoNETTE well remarks : 

" The French nation had never approved 
the transfer of the Louisiana Territory to Spain 
in 1 762. The loss of Louisiana had been viewed 
as the greatest calamity to the French nation, the 
result of an iornominious war, and a dishonorable 
peace under a weak government. Since the 
downfall of the Bourbon dynasty, the sympathies 
of Republican France had never lost sight 
of their estranged countrymen, subject, as they 
conceived, to foreign bondage on the Mississippi. 
Now the colossal power of France, under the 
genius of Napoleon, had made the crown heads 
of Europe tremble, and his edicts were supreme 
law to Southern Europe. Spain had become 
involved in the wars of Europe, and her mon- 
arch had been compelled to yield to the dictation 
of Napoleon, who had resolved to restore to the 
French empire, the ancient province of Louisiana, 
and thus to extend the dominion of France again 
upon the Mississippi." 



- 221 - 

By the treaty of Ildefonso, October rst, iSoo, 
Spain retransferred to Napoleon Bonaparte, First 
Consul of the French Republic, all the Louisiana 
territory formerly owned by France in 1763, 
upon the condition, that the Duke of Parma 
should have the kingdom of Tuscany, with the 
title of " King of Etruria." The kingdom of 
Tuscany, with its rich revenues, was estimated 
at one hundred million of francs* 

Napoleon was greatly elated by this acquisi- 
tion, and made grand preparations, at this time, 
commensurate with the power of France, to 
take possession of Louisiana. He concentrated 
for this purpose, a large fleet in the ports of 
Holland ; and a land force of twenty-five thous- 
and soldiers, were ready to sail to the Miss- 
issippi, under the able commander Gen. Victor, 
but various disappointments and misfortunes 
prevented the contemplated departure of the 
fleet and troops. Napoleon becoming much em- 
barrassed by his w^ars in Europe, whilst defeated 
and pressed by the English navy, determined to 
abandon his great project about the Louisiana 
Territory, and to dispose of it to the United 
States, for the purpose of crippling England's 
power, and to create her a rival on the seas and 
ocean. 

Napoleon ordered the famous diplomatist, 
Talleyrand, and M. Marbois, Minister of Finan- 
ces, to open negotiations with Robt. R. Livings- 
ton, then at Paris, Minister of the United States 



- Ill - 

to France. After mature consideration a treaty 
was entered April 30, 1803, with France, who 
transferred to the United States the Louisiana 
Territory for fifteen milHon dollars ; also for sixty 
millions of francs to discharge France from 
claims due the citizens of the United States 
under the Convention of 1800; also to permit 
all vessels of Spain and France to enter free of 
charge for twelve years this said Territory of 
Louisiana. 

This acquisition by the United States, was one 
of the most valuable and grandest, that ever fell 
to the lot of any nation, either modern or ancient. 
It was a territory that embraced every climate, 
and adapted to the cultivation of nearly every 
product in the world. This vast territory em- 
braced 756,961,280 acres of land. 

The " Province of Louisiana" was delivered 
December 20, 1803, at the City of New Orleans, 
by Mr. Laussat, the French colonial prefect, to 
Gov. William Claiborne, of Mississippi Territory 
and to Gen. James Wilkinson, commander of 
the army, both commissioners of the United 
States, amidst a large concourse of people. 
Governor Claiborne then became, and exercised 
the prerogatives and powers of Governor-General 
of the " Province of Louisiana," until Congress 
provided for it a regular form of government. 
The total population of the " Louisiana 
Province," at this time, was ninety thousand 
eight hundred and forty persons. 



- 223 - 

By Act of Congress of March 26, 1804, this 
immense Territory was divided into two districts, 
the southern part was called " Orleans," and the 
northern part the " District of Louisiana," then 
known as " Upper Louisiana." 



Upper Louisiana. 



The original boundary, under the French and 
Spaniards, was, east by the Mississippi river, 
south by " Hope Encampment," opposite the 
Chickasaw Bluffs, but main boundary by the 
Arkansas river, north and west indefinitely. 
This district was formally divided by the Span- 
iards in 1769, into five districts, viz: St. Gen- 
evieve, St. Louis, St. Charles, New Madrid and 
Cape Girardeau. The inhabitants of Upper 
Louisiana present a singular spectacle, in a short 
period of having passed and lived under three 
different crovernments : first under the French 
flag, secondly under Spanish dominion ; and 
lastly under the banner of the United States. 

The first permanent settlement in Arkansas 
State, then Upper Louisiana, was in 1686, by 
Tonti, who was left by Lasalle as commander at 
"Rock Fort" in the Illinois country, when he 
descended the Mississippi river with a corps of 
men, to meet Lasalle with his fleet, that was 
expected to enter at the mouth of the Mississippi. 



- 224 - 

Disappointed in this, he was forced to return to 
the IlHnois. On his way, he estabhshed " Fort 
Arkansas," on the Arkansas river, forty miles 
above its mouth, as early as 1686, leaving a 
number of his men at this post. At this period, 
it was then occupied by a tribe, known as the 
Arkansas. The French associated with them, in 
all their hunts, frolics and amusements, whilst 
inter-marrying" with them. Hence their descend- 
ants were of mixed blood. 

The Territory of " Upper Louisiana," em- 
braced a fine climate, lands of every quality, 
with vast forests, with broad and rollino- prairies, 
with magnificent streams and rivers. The forest 
was filled with wild fruits of various kinds, suit- 
able to the wants of the hunter and roving wild 
animals, consisting of the buffalo, bear, elk, 
deer, otter, goat, fox, raccoon, opossum, rabbits 
and squirrels. Birds of various species, abound- 
ed in the wilderness, consisting of the turkey, 
ducks, pheasants, partridge, quail, grouse, wild 
goose, snipe and plover, whilst the wild pigeons, 
when emigrating, darkened the clouds in their 
passage either in hunt of their food, or to resort 
to their roosting place. 

President Thomas Jefferson, by Act of Con- 
gress October 3, 1803, was authorized to take 
possession of the " Louisiana Territory." Ac- 
cordingly for Upper Louisiana, he detailed Capt. 
Amos Stoddard, of the United States army, for 
that purpose, which Territory was delivered to 



- 225 - 

him by Lieutenant-Governor Charles Dehault 
Delassus, then Spanish Officer, at St. Louis, 
March lo, 1804. The flag of the United States 
was then unfurled on the Government house in 
St. Louis, and full possession taken of this valu- 
able Territory, 

The population at this period, in Upper Louis- 
iana was only 9,020 whites and 1,320 slaves, in 
all 10,340, which was a very small population 
for so vast a Territory. 



Lieutenant-Governor Amos Stoddard, Com- 
mandant OF Upper Louisiana. 



Captain Amos Stoddard, of the Artillery of the 
United States, was appointed Civil and Military 
Commandant of Upper Louisiana, and com- 
missioned to exercise the power and prerogatives 
of the Spanish Governor of that Province. 
At the time of the taking possession of Upper 
Louisiana, he issued a proclamation, on the loth 
of March 1804, to the inhabitants, explaining 
the transfer by France to the United States ; 
and the desire of the United States to cultivate 
their friendship, and protect them in all their 
rights, both civil and religious, also their being 
divested of the character of subjects, but now 
clothed with that of citizens of the United States. 
That the Government would soon establish a 



- 226 - 

Territorial government administered by men of 
wisdom and integrity. That whilst being ap- 
pointed the temporary guardian of their rights 
and liberties, that all his time and talents would 
be devoted to their welfare. 

Gov. Stoddard issued a second proclamation 
April 30th, 1804, against a number of lawless 
Muskoe and Creek Indians, who had committed 
depredations and crimes upon the white men of 
the district, whilst ordering the officers of the 
several posts to be on their guard and arrest 
these marauders, and to bring them to trial for 
their offenses. 



227 - 



Lewis and Clark's Grand Exploration to 

THE Pacific Ocean, May 14, 1804, to 

September 23, 1806. 



Previous to the delivery of the Louisiana 
Territory, President Jefferson, with the concur- 
rence of Congress concluded to explore the vast 
country, from the mouth of the Missouri to the 
Pacilic ocean. Captains Merriwether Lewis and 
William Clark were commissioned for that pur- 
pose — both men of long experience, activity, 
bravery and talents. 

" The party consisted of nine Kentucky vol- 
unteers, fourteen soldiers of the United States 
army, two French voyageurs (an interpreter 
and a hunter), and a black servant. In addition 
to these a corporal and six soldiers were engaged 
to accompany them as far as the " Mandan Vil- 
lage," in consequence of some apprehension of 
Indian attacks. The stores were divided into 
seven bales, and one box containing a small portion 
of each article as a resource in case of accident. 
They consisted of clothing, locks, flints, pow- 
der and ball. To these were added fourteen 
bales and one box of Indian presents. The 
party embarked on three boats. The largest one 
was fifty-five feet long, of three feet draught, one 
with sail and twenty-two oars, with forecastle and 



- 228 ^ 

cabin at the bow and stern, and lockers in the 
middle, so adjusted, as to be used for breast-work 
in extremity. This was accompanied by two 
pirogues of six and seven oars, and two horses 
were led along the bank of the river for hunting. 

This exploring party, on the 14th day of May 
1804, after the acquisition of the Louisiana Ter- 
ritory, left the mouth of the Missouri river, with 
their boats, with sails, oars and cordelles to 
ascend this muddy and turbulent stream, moving 
through snags and sunken trees, rounding low 
islands and bars covered with cotton-woods and 
willows, to explore an immense wilderness up the 
Missouri river, over the Rocky Mountains and 
down the Columbia river, to the Pacific ocean. 

" Whilst ascending the Missouri up to Kaw 
river, they met many rafts and pirogues and 
canoes loaded with the rich spoils of the moun- 
tains and plains. During this time, these hardy 
men in these frail barks lightened their lots with 
many a song, in cadence with the measured 
stroke of the oar ; exhibiting around their camp- 
fires uproarious jests and stories of wild and peri- 
lous adventures." They arrived August 4th, 
1804, at " Council Bluffs," a commanding place, 
overlooking the plains for miles in every direc- 
tion, when Lewis and Clark held a council with 
different tribes of Indians, and smoked the pipe 
of peace. 

After proceeding up the Missouri and re- 
lating their intercourse with the savages and 



- 229 ■ 

describing the country, on the 7th of April 
1805 they dispatched a boat with collections and 
curiosities, and a letter to President Jefferson. 
They resumed their voyage up the Missouri in 
six canoes and two pirogues, with thirty-two 
men. They passed the " Yellow Stone," being 
the outskirts of the mountains, the plains break- 
ing into bluffs and ridges, until, June 13, 1805, 
they approached the " Great Falls " of the Mis- 
souri river. The party then making a portage 
of canoes and baggage, by means of a rude 
truck wheel, resumed their voyage, enclosed by 
majestic ranges of mountains, inhabited by a 
large number of wild grizzly bears and other 
ferocious animals. Above these Falls, they 
moved to the three forks, named Jefferson, Madi- 
son and Gallatin rivers, then across to the 
Columbia river, which they descended amid falls 
and cascades, when they reached the mouth of the 
Columbia river ; then beheld the Great Pacific 
Ocean, with its blue waves rolling at their feet, 
on the memorable day of November 7, 1805. 

They then explored the country around the 
Pacific coast, fixing and building huts for the 
winter along the banks of Meriwether Bay, in 
the meanwhile subsistino- on fish and huntino-. 

On the 23d March, 1806, they ascended the 
Columbia river upon their return trip. When 
reaching the " Great Dalles," — Walla- Walla, 
they obtained horses, and followed their ascent 
on the north bank of the river, through rough 



• 230 - 

and irregular ridges and isolated cliffs. Then 
they reached and crossed to the south bank, 
at the mouth of the Walla-Walla river on the 
Columbia, whose soil is of great fertility, being 
well watered and timbered. Passing the Blue 
Mountains to the east, they proceeded to the 
moutli of Kooskoosie river, afterwards reaching 
" Traveller's Rest Creek," which they had 
ascended the previous summer. When at the 
m )uth of this creek, Lewis and Clark divided 
ths party, so as to explore as much country as 
possible, to meet again at the mouth of 
Yellow Stone river. The country which they 
explored, in separate parties then, is replete 
with interest, but they encountered there many 
dangers and privations. AftcT the parties had 
reassembled on the Missouri river, they com 
menced its descent on the 13th of August, 1806, 
accompanied by "Big White," a Mandan Chief. 
Notwithstanding war was then existing between 
some tribes of Indians on the Missouri river, 
this exploring party was not disturbed, and land- 
ed at the village of St. Louis on the 23d of 
September 1806, after an absence of two years 
three months and nine days, traveling 7.500 
miles through a vast wilderness and unknown 
regions. 

This wonderful exploration proved of great 
value to our Government, and immortalized the 
names of Lewis and CUrk, 



231 - 



William Harrison Governor of Upper Louis- 
iana FROM October, 1804, to 
March, 1805. 

The Act of Congress of March 26, 1804. 

This act divided the large district of Louisiana 
into two districts ; the southern part was called 
" Orleans, " and the northern part, " The Dis- 
trict of Louisiana, " then known as Upper Louis- 
iana. This last territory was put under the juris- 
diction of the Governor of Indiana and its three 
Judges. They were authorized to legislate for 
the District of Louisiana, and two courts to be 
held annually. The Secretary of Indiana was to 
preserve all public records and papers. General 
William Harrison was then Governor, whilst the 
courts were presided over by Judges Griffin, 
Vandeberg and Davis, who acted in that capacity 
from October ist, 1804, to March, 1805. The 
Governor of Indiana and the Judges enacted 
sixteen acts for the government of the " District 
of Louisiana " : 

Tst. — Crimes and Punishments. 

2d. — Justice Courts. 

3d. — Slaves. 

4th. — Revenue. 

5th — Militia Laws. 

6th — Record Offices. 



- 232 - 

7th. — Attorneys. 

8th. — Constables. 

9th. — Boatmen. 

loth, — Defalcation. 

I ith. — Practice at Law. 

I 2th. — Probate Business. 

13th. — Quarter Sessions. 

14th. — Oaths. 

15th. — Sheriffs. 

1 6th. — Marriages. 

Which acts were jjublished, and reference called 
to them. 



Acr OF Congress, March 3, 1805, Creating 
THE Territory of Louisiana. 



By this act the name " District of Louisiana " 
was changed to the " Territory of Louisiana. " — 
It provided for a Governor for three years, to be 
commander of the militia and Superintendent of 
Indian affairs ; a Secretary to hold office for four 
years, who was to act as Governor during the 
absence of the Governor. The legislative power 
was vested in the Governor and three Territorial 
Judges. Under this law, and for the " District of 
Louisiana," General James Wilkinson, who was 
then Commander of the army, was appointed 
Governor, with Judges John B. Lucas and Return 



T. Meiofs, which constitutetl the leafislature of this 
I'erritory. General Wilkinson acted as Governor 
from March 3rd, 1805, to the year 1807, whilst 
Joseph Brown acted as Secretary. During the 
James Wilkinson administration of Upper Louis- 
iana, he formed two important explorations under 
Lieutenant Pike, one to the sources of the Miss- 
issippi river and the other to the sources of Arkan- 
sas river, which were of great benefit in establishin<>- 
the lines of the Western territory of the United 
States, which separated it from the Spanish and 
Enp;lish territories. 

James Wilkinson was a native of Maryland. 
During the Americin revolution, he was in 
the expedition under General Arnold, who 
marched through Canada, from Maine to Quebec. 
He was at the surrender of .Saratoga, resigned his 
office in 1778, owing to some misunderstanding 
with Washington. He then removed to Ken- 
tucky in 1787, and became a merchant, opened 
a correspondence with the Spanish officers in 
New Orleans, descended the Ohio and Miss- 
issippi rivers with a cargo of tobacco and flour ; 
afterwards monopolized this trade with the con- 
currence of the Governor of Louisiana, which left 
a suspicion of liis intrigues with Spain, to dis- 
member Kentucky from its allegiance to the 
Atlantic States. 

After tlie American revolution in 1783, the 
people of the West were left in great distress 



^ 234 - 

and destitution from the effects of the war, 
more especially when Spain claimed dominion 
over the Mississippi river, laying tribute on its 
commerce, whilst its desire was to separate the 
Western portion of the Union from the Atlantic 
States. The people west of the Alleghany moun- 
tains were determined for the free navigation of 
the Mississippi river, which occasioned bitter 
feelings, creating several political parties in Ken 
tucky and in the Ohio country. Some were for 
an independent government; others for an alliance 
with Spain ; another to make war against Spain, 
to wrest from her New Orleans, and to take 
possession of the Mississippi. During these con- 
flicts occurred the death of General Wayne in 
I 796. He was succeeded by General James Wil- 
kinson as commander of the United States army. 
During the year 1805 Aaron Burr was conspir- 
ing to form a Government of western and southern 
States, and to invade Mexico. After visiting 
Kentucky and southern cities, Burr arrived in 
St. Louis in September, 1805. He seemed on very 
friendly terms with General James Wilkinson, 
which reflected greatly against Wilkinson, who 
was at the time commander of the United States 
army and Governor of Upper Louisiana. Burr 
was indicted for treason, but acquitted. 



- ^35 - 



First Grand Exploration of Lieutenant 
Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Up T) the 
Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1805. 

This exploration of the Upper Mississippi 
river was purely a military one, ordered by Gen. 
James Wilkinson, Commander of the United 
States army, then stationed at St. Louis, with 
the consent of the Government. The cbjtcL 
was to discover the sources of the Mississii)pi ; 
to inquire what tribes of Indians inhabited its 
banks, also to select suitable places for erecting 
forts, and to obtain the general character of the 
geography of the country. This expedition was 
intrusted of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery 
Pike, a native of New Jersey, born January 5th, 
1779, and at the time of this exploration, a Lieu- 
tenant of Infantry in the United States army. 
He took command, and was accompanied by 
one servant, and two corporals with sr'venteen 
soldiers, who left their encampments near St. 
Louis on the 9th day of August 1805, in a keel- 
boat seventy feet long, with provisions and 
ammunitions for four months. This was the 
first trip by any person of the United States. 

Adventurers at this period, ascended the river 
in quest of furs and trade, but not known to the 
public. Lieutenant Pike had then a fresh field 



- 236 - 

to explore. Whatever he should see and relate, 
would be of great interest and of value, of that 
vast Northwest interior. The ofreatest difficul- 
ties arose in the navigation of the Mississippi, 
with its numerous channels, which are formed by 
so many islands in the river, making the naviga- 
tion slow and dangerous. They ascended up to 
Dubuque by the first of September and reached 
" Prairie Du Chien " on the 4th of September 
1805; arrived at St. Peters river on the 226. 
September, where a council of war was held with 
the Sioux Indians, who disposed of their lands 
for a militar)' post. They then advanced to the 
Falls of St. Anthony, where their keel-boat was 
unloaded, going around by a portage above 
these Falls. 

Proceeding up the Mississippi, they were 
greatly retarded by ripples, rapids and shoals, 
and often found it necessary to wade and force 
their boats along up stream, until they reached 
233 miles above the " Falls of St. Anthony," 
where they erected huts and a station for their 
party, with a suitable guard to pass the winter. 
Here they provided themselves with wild game, 
which was then in great abundance. Lieuten- 
ant Pike with a part of his force left this station 
December loth, 1805, to proceed up the river, 
taking one canoe, and some sledges carrying 
about four hundred pounds each, to be drawn by 
two harnessed abreast, Pike always in the lead, 
to extricate the sledo;-cs from shoals and rocks, 



. 237 - 

and to build fires for their encampments. Their 
ascent continued toilsome and dang-erous, in the 
midst of extreme cold weather. On the 22nd 
December, Lieutenant Pike remarked: " Xever 
did I undergo more fatigue, in performing the 
duties of hunter, spy, guide and commanding 
officer." 

The party reached "Sandy Lake" Januar)' 
8, 1806, where they were received, at a British 
trading house, established some twelve years 
previous ; there he made known to the Britihh 
and Indians, the right of the United States to 
this upper 1 egion of country. Lieutenant Pike 
proceeded up to " Leech Lake," when he found 
again another British trading post, and was met 
with hospitality. The party, accompanied by a 
British trader, reached " Red Lake," then sup- 
posed to be the head of the Mississippi river, 
about the 15th day of February, 1806. At 
" Lake Uinipec," fifteei', miles below, was a 
British post, and a flag of that nation flying from 
that fort. The "Northwest Company," then 
had their posts in all this wild region of country. 

When Lieutenant Pike and his party had 
reached the sources of the Mississippi, their 
exploration ended. They returned back in their 
homeward march, stopping at their stockade 
and station they had established, but disap- 
pointed in the officer left there in charge, who 
had disposed of their best provisions and spirits 
which was a great disappointment to Lieutenant 



-538 

Pike and his men, who were greatly fatigued 
and worn out by their exposure to the cold and 
inhospitable region of country. 

They again reached " Prairie Du Chien," 
April 1 8th, and entered the port of St. Louis 
April 30, 1806, being absent eight months and 
twenty-two days. Lieutenant Pike kept a jour- 
nal, which was published in 1808, recording the 
distances made each day, the game killed, the 
British establishments found, and the Indian 
tribes who inhabited the banks of the Upper 
Mississippi. 



- ^39- 



TuE Important and Perilous Exploration 
TO THE Arkansas, Kansas, and Platte 
Rivers, and into the Provinces of New 
Spain in 1806. 



This remarkable exploration was ordered by 
General James Wilkinson, then Governor of 
Upper Louisiana, and General-in-chief of the 
United States army, being consented to by the 
Government. The object of this expedition, 
from instructions given, was, to restore certain 
Osage captives, recently recovered from Potta- 
watomies, to their homes on " Grand Osage; 
next to effect a permanent peace between the 
Kansas and Osage Indians ; also to establish 
a good understanding with the Yanctons and 
Comanches, etc. 

This would lead the party to the branches of 
the Arkansas and Red rivers, where it would be 
approximate to New Mexico. They were to 
move with great caution and to keep clear of any 
hunting and reconnoitering parties from that 
Province, and to prevent alarm or offense ; also 
to give general information of the country. 

The party selected for this new exploration 
was Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who 
had recently finished his expedition to the sources 
of the Mississippi. The party consisted of two 



- 240 - 

lieutenants, one sergeant, one surgeon, sixteen 
soldiers and one interpreter. This organization 
left St. Louis July 15th, 1806, in two large boats, 
who proceeded up the Missouri river, until they 
reached the Osage river on the 28th of July. 
They then navigated the Osage river up to " the 
Grand Osages." 

They were accompanied by several Osage and 
Paunee chiefs, with their wives and children, 
who had returned from Washington City, visiting 
their great father, President Jefferson. These 
Indians, numbering fifty-one, had been redeemed 
from captivity among the Pottawatomies. and 
were to be restored to their friends at the 
" Grand Osages." Lieutenant Pike, after reach- 
ing up the Osage towns, August 19th, iSob, 
restored these captives to their friends and 
nation. 

This exploration was accompanied by Doctor 
John A. Robinson, a man of science, as volunteer, 
and by Mr. Henry of New Jer^^ey, who spoke 
French and Spanish ; also by Lieutenant James 
Wilkinson, son of the Commander-in-chief of 
the United Slates army. Lieutenant Pike after 
leaving his boats at the Osage towns, prepared 
for his land route. So on September ist, 1806, 
the party started for their perilous expedition. 
Accompanied by thirty Indian warriors, they 
marched until they crossed the ridge that divides 
the waters whicli run into the Missoiu'i on one 
side, and the Arka:isas on the other. The 



- 241 - 

view from this ridge, Lieutenant Pike describes 
as being' sublime, the prairie rising and falHng in 
regular swells, as far as the eye can reach. 
They came upon the Paunee towns about the 
first of September, and proceeded their way until 
they reached on the i8ih of October the Arkan- 
sas river, where this river was not more than 
twenty feet wide, but two days afterwards from 
rains, it spread four hundred and fifty yards in 
width . 

According to instructions Lieutenant Wilkin- 
son, three soldiers and one Osage Indian left the 
party in three canoes made of wood and buffalo 
hides, when they descended the Arkansas river 
to its mouth, then down the Mississippi to New 
Orleans. 

Lieutenant Pike after leavinef the Arkansas 
here, continued his exploration, meeting many 
wild horses, when ice and snow made their 
appearance, whilst buffaloes were in great abund- 
ance, covering the country ; salt was also found 
in abundance. 

On the 15th of November, the peaks of 
Mexican Mountains were seen, where a station 
was made for the protection of the party. Lieu- 
tenant Pike and r3octor Robinson, moved to- 
wards these mountains, to ascertain their posi- 
tion, when they beheld the " Grand Peak." The 
party were then desirous of reaching Red river, 
after being entangled in the range of the moun- 



- 242 - 

tains, and in the depth of a severe winter. Here 
they wandered half frozen and half starved 
until, in February 1807, they erected another 
station as a protection and a defense, and to 
gather up the men of this expedition. In the 
meantime Doctor Robinson concluded to reach 
Santa-Fe, pretending to have a claim against 
Mexico. The claim was this : 

In the year 1804, William Morrison, a mer- 
chant of Kaskaskia, sent Baptiste Lalonde, a 
Creole, up the Missouri and Platte rivers, and 
directed him, if possible to push to Santa-Fe. 
The Spaniards seized his goods and took him 
into the Spanish Province. Lalonde finding that 
he could sell his goods at high prices, and having 
land and wife offered him, concluded to convert 
the property of Morrison to his own benefit. This 
claim was only a ruse to gain information of the 
country and the people. Doctor Robinson suc- 
ceeded, though with danger and peril, to reach 
Santa-Fe. 

Lieutenant Pike, whilst on a hunting expe- 
dition, on the 1 6th of P'ebruary, was discov- 
ered by a Spanish dragon, and soon after was 
surrounded by Spanish trcops. who took Pike 
and his party prisoners. Instead of being on 
Red river, as he supposed, Pike and his party 
were on the Rio Del Norte, on Mexican soil 
instead of United States territory. The part)- 
was taken to Santa-F"e, where Pike and party 



- 2|3 - 

were examined before its Governor, who, being 
satisfied of Pike's public character, treated him 
with liospitaHty. but seized his papers and sent 
him under military escort to Chihuahua, where 
he was re-examined by the Commanding General 
on the 2nd of April 1807, when he was again 
sent under escort to the Province of Texas, then 
to reacli the United States post on Red river, 
which he did at Nacodoches July ist 1807 — 
nearly absent one year. Pike's exploration at 
this time was looked upon with suspicion by the 
Mexicans, as it was reported that Aaron Burr 
intended to invade Mexico, 

Lieutenant Pike and party were welcomed 
back after their long and perilous tour, by their 
friends, and much sympathy was felt by the peo- 
ple, in their behalf and safety. Lieutenant Pike 
upon his return was promoted to the rank of 
Captain, and gradually to that of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, during the war with England of [812. 
General Pike, en his attack at York, during the 
explosion of the fort, fell a victim in the service 
of his country, in the bloom of life, at the age of 
thirty-four years, much regretted by the soldiers 
and nation, 

TliL' relation of the above expedition was 
published in a volume in 1810, at Philadelphia. 



244 



Territory of Louisiana. 

Governor James Wilkinson, was succeeded as 
Governor by Meriwether Lewis, one of the great 
explorers to the Pacific, which appointment was 
highly approved by the Western people, and he 
served in that capacity from 1807 to September 
1809. His Secretary was Frederick Bates. 

The Territorial Legislature, then enacted sev- 
eral laws, when in the year 1808, these laws 
were embodied in what is known as " Hempstead 
Digest." 

Governor Lewis was succeeded by Governor 
Benjamin Howard from September 19, 18 10, to 
November 12, 181 2. 



245 



PART VIII. 



MISSOURI TERRITORY— 1812. 



By Act of Congress of June 4th, 18 12, the 
" Territory of Louisiana " was changed to the 
" Missouri Territory." The legislative power 
was vested into a Governor, Legislative Council, 
and House of Representatives. The Council 
consisted of nine persons appointed by the Presi- 
dent, and to hold office for five years. The 
lower house consisted of thirteen members, 
elected by the people, and to hold sessions 
annually but in 181 6 they were to be held 
bienniall3^ The Territorial Assembly first as- 
sembled at St. Louis, Missouri, on the 7th of 
December 181 2. 

First Council. 

From St. Louis — Auguste Chouteau, Samuel 
Howard. 

St. Genevieve — John Scott, James Maxwell. 

St. Charles — J. Flaugherty and B. Emmons. 

Cape Girardeau — William Neely and Jos. 
Ceivener. 

New^ Madrid — Joseph Hunter. 



- "2 4 6 - ^ 

House of Representatives 

From St. Louis — David Music, Bernard T. 
Farrarand William C. Carr. 

St. Genevieve — George Bullit, Richard S. 
Thomas and Israel McGreedy. 

St. Charles — John Pitman and Robert Spen- 
cer. 

Cape Girardeau — George F. Bollinger and 
James Phillips. ... - 

At this first session, Hon. William C. Carr, 
was elected Speaker and Thomas F. Reddick, 
Clerk pro tern. At the second session, held on 
the 6th of December 1813, Hon. George Bullit, 
was made Speaker and Andrew Scott, Clerk. 
On the third session, held on December 5, 18 14, 
Hon. James Cadwell, was elected Speaker. 
Hon. Bullit and James Cadwell were both from 
St. Genevieve. 

The judicial power of the Missouri Territory- 
was vested in a Superior Court, inferior Courts, 
and Justices of the Peace. The Superior Court 
consisted of three judges, any two of them con- 
stituting the court, who held office for four years 
and had original and appellate jurisdiction in civil 
and criminal cases. 

The Legislature on the 21st of August 1813, 
incorporated the Bank of St. Louis, which ended 
in failure and disaster. 



- 247 - 

The counties of Washington, Jefferson, Frank 
Hn, Wayne, Lincohi, Pike, Madison, Montgom 
ery, Howard and Cooper were estabHshed be- 
tween 1812 and 1820. 

The common law of England was adopted on 
the 19th of January 18 16, provided the same was 
not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of 
the United States, and the statutes of the Ter- 
ritory. 

In January 181 7, the old Bank of Missouri 
was incorporated, which proved a failure and in- 
jurious to the people. 

A statute was adopted December 17th, 1818, 
in relation to real estate, limiting the right of 
entry to twenty years. In the year 181 7, the 
digest of the statutes of the Missouri Territory, 
was published by Hon. Henry S. Geyer. 



Governors of Missouri Territory 



Frederick Bates, from Dec-ember 7th, 181 2, to 

July 1813. 
William Clark, from July 12th, 1813, to 1820. 

Serving until Missouri was organized as a 

State. 

When the Missouri Territory of 181 2 was 
organized, it was a time of great anxiety and 
trouble owino^ to the declaration of war aiJ^ainst 



- 248 - 

Eng"land. Fortunately for r^Iissouri, she was not 
endangered by English troops, for the seat of war 
was along the western lakes and the Atlantic 
coast ; still we were subject to Indian depreda- 
tions, whilst measures had to be taken against 
some of the hostile tribes of Indians within the 
borders of Missouri. They had to be chastized 
to secure peace on our frontiers. Another 
event at this time which created great alarm and 
distress among the people, was the great earth- 
quakes of New Madrid, in the years 181 1 and 
1812, which proved so disastrous in the southern 
portions of Missouri Territory. 



249 - 



THE TERRITORIAL DELEGATES. 



Hon. Edward Hempstead, First Delegate 
TO Congress from Missouri Territory. 

Stephen Hempstead, the father of Edward 
Hempstead, was a native of the State of Con- 
necticut. He was a soldier of the American 
Revolution ; distinguished himself at the battle 
of Bunker Hill, and witnessed the British evacu- 
ate Boston. He became a sergeant of the com 
pany commanded by the famous Nathan Hale ; 
afterwards, he emigrated to Upper Louisiana in 
the year i8i i. 

Edward Hempstead his son, was born June 3d 
1870 and was licensed as a lawyer in the State of 
Connecticut, afterwards removing to Rhode 
Island. After remaining there some three years 
he removed to Upper Louisiana in 1804, locating 
himself at St. Charles; then removed in 1805 to 
St. Louis. In 1806 he was appointed Deputy 
Attorney-General of the United States District, 
and held the office until 181 2. Mr. Hempstead 
in 1808, embodied the laws of Congress and 
Acts of the Missouri Legislature of 1806-7-8, 
known as " Hempstead Digest," published in an 
octavo volume. 



- 250 - 

The Act of Congress, organizing- Missouri as 
a Territory, entitled her to a delegate in Con- 
gress. When an election was held Edward 
Hempstead was elected from 1812 to 18 14. 

Mr. Hempstead has the honor of being the 
first member of Congress elected west of the 
Mississippi river. During his services in the 
halls of Congress important laws were passed, 
confirming the land claims to the inhabitants ; 
and town-lots in the several villages, which 
had been settled previous to December 1803. 
The town-lots and out-lots unoccupied were 
donated for school purposes. After his term of 
office expired as delegate, he became a member 
of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri Ed- 
ward Hempstead was a man of great energy of 
character, of good abilities and a useful member 
of society. He died in St. Louis, on the loth 
day of August 181 7, much regretted by the in- 
habitants of Missouri. 



251 



Hon. Rufus Easton, Second Delegate to 
Congress from Missouri Territory. 

Rufus Easton was a native of Litchfield, Con- 
necticut ; was born May 4th, 1774. After re- 
ceivino- a good education, he studied law, and 
obtained in his native State a license to practice 
law. He afterwards removed to Rome, New 
York State ; then visited Washington City dur- 
ing the winters of 1803-4, making there many 
valuable acquaintances and taking then an active 
part in political matters. He removed to St. 
Louis, then Upper Louisiana, about 1805. On 
March 3d 1805, he was appointed judge of the 
" Territory of Louisiana." His commission ex- 
pired in 1806, but he was not reappointed. He 
desired the cause, but President Jefferson by 
letter of February 2 2d, 1806, declined to give 
the reason, on the ground that it was not the 
duty of the President to give his reasons for 
Federal appointments. President Jefferson, how- 
ever, in 1806 appointed him United States At- 
torney for the " Territory of Louisiana," then 
an important position. 

About this period, Aaron Burr visited St, 
Louis, for the purpose of revolution and con- 
spiracy, to form a Government out of Mexico 
and the Western and Southern States. Judge 
Easton, as early as October 20th 1805, wrote to 



- 252 - 

President Jefferson that General James Wilkin- 
son, then commander of the United States army, 
and Governor of "Upper Louisiana" — had 
put himself at the head of a party who was 
hostile to the best interests of America. 

Judge Easton, in 1814, was elected as a dele- 
gate to Congress from the " Missouri Territory " 
and served between the years 1814-1816. Dur- 
ing his services in Congress, an Act was passed 
February 17th 181 5, in relation to the relief of 
the sufferers in New Madrid District, by the 
earthquakes of New Madrid of 1811 and 1812. 

Rufus Easton left a large and respectable 
family, including seven daughters, one of whom 
married Hon. Thomas Anderson, of Palmyra; 
another became the wife of Hon. S. Geyer, one 
of the most talented lawyers of Missouri ; the 
third married Archibald Gamble, Governor of 
the State of Missouri ; another became the wife 
of Major Sibley, of St. Louis. His son. Colonel 
Alton Rufus Easton, who distinguished himself 
in the service of his country, commanded a regi- 
ment in the Mexican war, called " St, Louis 
Legion." 

Judge Rufus Easton, was appointed Attorney- 
General of the State of Missouri from 1821 to 
1826. He died at St. Charles, July 5th, 1834. 
He was a man of commanding appearance, pro- 
fessing good and generous feelings, fond of good 
company, and very hospitable at home. 



25, 



John Scott, Third Delegate to Congress 
From Missouri Territory. 

Hon. John Scott, delegate to Congress from 
Missouri Territory, was born in Hanover county, 
Virginia, May i8, 1785. His parents removed 
to Pennsylvania, where his father carried on the 
trade of weaver. The family thence settled at 
Vincennes, Indiana. Young Scott then assisted 
his father at his trade and taught school during 
the winter months. Whilst at Vincennes, he 
studied law under William Harrison, then Gov- 
ernor of the Northwest Territory, and obtained 
his license to practice law from him. Mr. Scott 
then emigrated to the town of St. Genevieve, 
Missouri, in the year 1805, and commenced the 
practice of law, and resided there until his death. 
He was a man of remarkable activity and energy 
of character, was punctual in attendance on the 
Territorial and State Courts, except whilst he 
was in Congress. He acquired a lucrative prac- 
tice and was attentive to legal business. When 
traveling, he rode on horseback, well equipped, 
his saddle was covered with a large sheep skin 
and upon that there was placed a large pair of 
saddle bags, filled with books and papers. He 
traveled thus several times to Washington City, 
and over a great deal of country, as our courts 
in early times were held at great distances apart. 



' ^54 - 

No weather stopped him, and nothing daunted 
him in crossing creeks and rivers to be at his post 
of duty. His style cf speaking was concise, 
loHcal and plain, but he spoke with effect to a 
jury or public assembly. He married an amiable 
lady, a Miss Catharine Cobb, December loth, 
1810, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He had the 
misfortune of losing his wife in the year 1815. 
Mr. Scott on the 20th of September, 1824, mar- 
ried a second time. His second wife was Mrs. 
Harriet Brady, a beautiful and accomplished 
widow, of the town of St. Louis. He raised a 
very large family. His father and mother lived 
with him. His father died at the age of eighty - 
four, and his mother at seventy-four years, in 
St. Genevieve. 

His brother. Judge Andrew Scott, was ap- 
pointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court 
of the Territory of Arkansas, in 1819, by Presi- 
dent Monroe. He resided in Arkansas, and died 
there. 

John Scott's house was of the old style, a one- 
story frame building, with singular additions. It 
was destroyed by fire on Christmas day in 1870. 
Since then, upon the site of his home the public 
school building has been erected, as a compli- 
ment of his acts in favor of public education. 
Scott was rather of short stature, whilst his com- 
plexion was clear and healthy, his gait rapid, and 
remarkably active in all his movements. When 



- 255 - 

advanced in age, he wore his long white hair in a 
queue, which fell gracefully over his shoulders ; 
and at times was fastened in a bunch and kept 
together by a comb. At court, as well as at 
other places, he wore on one side of his breast a 
beautiful carved dirk, and on the other side a 
pistol, both of which he carried to his death from 
habit. He was most eccentric, frequently indulg- 
ing in profanity ; but his suavity of manners and 
his interesting conversational powers made it 
less offensive to his hearers. If genteel swear- 
ing was an accomplishment in those primitive 
days, he certainly possessed it in a high degree. 

Scott served with credit to himself as a mem- 
ber of our Territorial Legislature, in the Council 
of Nine, and was one of the framers of our Con 
stitution of 1820. 

During the time that he was a candidate for 
Congress, there w^ere written by some corre- 
spondents, who w^ere his political enemies, severe 
strictures upon his character, in the Gazetteer, 
published in St. Louis. He demanded of Mr. 
Charless, the editor, the names of the authors, 
which were eiven him. Xext morninor whilst in 
St. Louis, through General Henry Dodge, and 
that before breakfast, he challenged to mortal 
combat five of these correspondents, amongst 
whom were Hon. Rufus Easton, delegate from 
Missouri Territory, Mr. Lucas, afterwards killed 
in a duel by Benton, Dr. Simpson, and others 



whose names are not now remembered. They 
all declined with the exception of Lucas, The 
difficulty with Lucas was afterwards compro- 
mised through friends. Hon. Rufus Easton's 
reply to him in declining to fight was : " I do not 
want to kill you, and if you were to kill me I 
would die as the fool dieth." Scott passed 
through many serious and dangerous encounters. 
He acquired much legal reputation in his success- 
ful defense of John Smith T., indicted for grave 
offenses. 

Mr. Scott was a candidate for the position of 
delegate to Congress in 1816, against Easton of 
St. Charles, Owing to some informality a new 
election took place, when he was elected. He 
served as delegate from 18 17 to 182 1. He was 
afterwards elected to Congress as representative 
from the State of Missouri from 1821 to 1828. 
In the election of 1828 he was defeated by Hon. 
Edward Bates, which terminated his political 
career. He presented in Congress a petition of 
the inhabitants of Missouri in December 1819, for 
the admission of Missouri as a State, Mr, Scott, 
in Congress delivered two able speeches on this 
subject and strongly advocated the admission of 
Missouri, and sided with Clay's great compro- 
mise measure which gave peace to the Union, 

When the Presidential contest in the Lower 
House of Congress took place between Adams 
and Jackson, Scott, the only member from Mis- 



sourl in the House of Representatives voted for 
Adams, which proved his poHtical death. This 
caused the great quarrel between Benton and 
Scott. In this connection followed their corre- 
spondence, which is introduced as instructive and 
important : 

Scott to Benton. 

Washington City, Feb. 5. 
" Hon. H. T. Benton :— Notwithstanding the conversation we 
had on Thursday evening and on Friday, from which you might 
justly conchide that I would not vote for Mr. Adams, I am now 
incHned to think differently, and unless some other change in my 
mind takes place I shall vote for him. I take the earliest oppor- 
tunity to apprise you of this fact that you may not commit your- 
self with friends on the subject. John Scott."'' 

Benign to Scott. 

Senate Chamber, Feb. 9. 

" Sir :— I received on the morning of the 6th inst. your note of 
the 5th in which you make known to me your intention to give 
the vote of Missouri to Mr. Adams. 

" Sinister rumors, and some misgivings of my own, had been 
preparing my mind for an extraordinary development ; but it was 
not until I had three times talked with you, face to face that I 
could believe in the reality of an intention so inconsistent with 
your previous conversations, so repugnant to your printed pledges, 
so amazing to your constituents, so fatal to yourself. The vote 
which you intend thus to give is not your own, it belongs to the 
people of Missouri. They are against Mr. Adams. I, in their 
name do solemnly protest against your intentions, and deny your 
moi-al power thus to bestow your vote. 

"You have been pleased to make a reference in one of your 
conversations, to my personal wishes in this election. 

"I now reiterate that I disdain and repel the appeal, and again 
remit you to the exalted tribunal of honor and duty. 

" For nine years we have been closely connected in our politi- 
cal course ; at length the connection is dissolved, and dissolved 
under circumstances which announce our everlasting separation. 



- 258 - 

For some expressions which you felt as unkind in our conversa- 
tion I ask your pardon and oblivion. I have a right to give you 
my opinion on a point of public duty, but none to inflict a wound on 
your public feelings, and, in this unexpected breaking of many 
ties, there is enough of unavoidable pain, without the gratuitous 
infliction of unkind words. 

"To-morrow is the day for your self-immolation. If you have 
an enemy, he may go and feed his eyes upon the scene. Your 
former friend will shun the afflicting spectacle. 

" With sincere wishes for your personal welfare, 1 remain, 

Thomas H. Benton." 

During Scott's service in public life, by his 
influence he obtained large grants of land to the 
State of Missouri, for the location of the Capi- 
tal of our State government. State University, 
and lands in each township for school purposes. 
After the defeat of Scott in 1828, he resumed 
his legal profession and became eminent as a 
civil and criminal lawyer. Scott was a man of 
integrity. When he collected money for his 
clients, which amounted to considerable sums, he 
never failed to put these collections in buck-skin 
bags, with name of owners marked upon them, 
and would never touch or use this money, for 
personal use, however pressed he might be in his 
business. 

Mr. Scott died much respected by the people 
of this State, at the ripe age of eighty years, at 
his homestead in the city of St. Genevieve and 
was buried in the Protestant grave-yard by a 
large concourse of relations and friends, June 9, 
1861. 



■ 259 - 

Thus ended the hfe of one of the pioneers of 
Missouri, remarkable for his long professional 
and public career. 

State Organization. 

The Missouri Territorial Legislature in the 
years 1818 and 18 19, made application to Con- 
gress for the admission of Missouri as a State. 
Hon. John Scott, then the delegate from Mis- 
souri, and Chairman of the Committee on 
'" Memorial for Missouri," reported a bill — '' To 
authorize the people of Missouri Territory to 
form a Constitution and State Government, on 
an equal footing with the original States." This 
bill was twice read and referred to the committee 
of the whole House; this was on the 19th of 
December 1819. An Act was passed by Con- 
gress March 6th, 1820, to authorize the inhabi- 
tants of the Missouri Territory to organize as a 
State, and to form a Constitution. 



Constitution of Missouri and State Gov- 
ernment IN 1820. 

The delegates to the Convention to form a 
Constitution for Missouri met in St. Louis June 
1 2th 1820, and concluded their labors July 19th 
1820. 



- 26o - 

Delegates. 

St. Louis County. David Barton, Edward Bates, 
Alexander McNair, William Rector, John 
C. Sullivan, Pierre Chouteau. 

St. Genevieve County. Robert T. Brown, John 
D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott. 

Cape Girardeau. Stephen Bird, James Evans, 
Richard S. Thomas, Alexander Buckner, Joe 
McFerron. 

Cooper County. Robert P. Clark, Robert Wal- 
lace, William Lillard. 

Franklin County. John G. Heath. 

Howard County. Nicholas Burkhart, John Ray, 
Duff Green, Jonathan S, Findly, Benjamin H. 
Reeves. 

Jefferson County. S. Hammond. 

Lincoln County. Malcom Henry. 

Montgomery County. James Talbot and Jona- 
than Ramsey. 

Madison County. Nathaniel Cook. 

New Madrid County. Robert D. Dawson, and 
Christopher G. Houts. 

Pike County. Stephen Cleaver. 

St. Charles County. Hiram H. Baber, Benjamin 
Emmons, Nathan Boone. 

Washington County, John Rice Jones, Samuel 
Perry, John Hutch ins. 

Wayne County. Elijah Bettis. 

President of Convention. David Barton. 
Secretary of Convention. William G. Pettus. 



- 26l 



HISTORICAL TABLES. 



Governors of the Province of Louisiana 

[At New Orleans ] 

Under the Spaniards. 

General Don O'REILY, . - - - from 1769 to 1772 

Governor Don LOUIS UNZAGA, - - from 1772 to 1779 

" " BERNADO GALVEY. - f-om 1779 to 1786 

" ESTEVAN MIRO, - - from i786 to 1791 

" Baron DE CARONDELET. - from 1791 to 1796 

Don GAYOSO DE LEMOS, - - from 1796 to 1799 

" MANUEL DE SALCEDO, from 1799 to 1804 



Commanders of Upper Louisiana. 
Under the French, 

[At St. Louis.] 
ST. ANGE DE BELLE RIVE, from October 1765 to May. 1770. 

Spanish Commandants in Upper Louisiana. 

[Stationed at St. Louis.] 

PIEDRO PIERNAS, - - from May 20, 1770, to May 19, 1775 

FRANCISCO CRUZAT, - - May 19, 1775. to June 17. 7778 

FERDINAND LEYBA, - - - June 17, 1778, to June 8, 17S0 

FRANCIS DE CARTABONA, - June 8, 1780, to Sept., 1780 

FRANCISCO CRUZAT, - - - Sept. 24, 1780, to Nov. 27, 1787 

MANUEL PEREZ, - - - Nov. 27, 1787, to July 2, 1782 

ZENON TRUDEAU, - - - July 21, 1792, to Aug. 2,1799 

CARLOS DEHAULT DELASSUS, Aug, 29, 1799, to Mch. 10, 1804 



- 262 - 

Commandants of Upper Louisiana 
Under the United States. 

Gov. AMOS STODDARI;. from March 10, 1804, to October i, 1S04, 
v> ith full powers and prerogatives of a Spanish Lieutenant-Governor. 

WILLIAM HARRISON, - from October i, 1S04, to March, 1805 

Joseph Brown, Secretary. 
JAMKS WILKINSON, - - - from March 3, 1805, to 1807 

JosF.PH Brown, Secretary. 
MLRIWKTHKR LEWIS. - - from 1807, to September, 1809 

Fkkdeuick Bates, Secretary. 
FREDERICK HATES, Acting-Governor, from Sept. 19, 1809 to 1810 
BENJAMIN HOWARD, from September 18, 1810, to November, 1812 



Govi:rxors of Missouri Territory. 

FREDERICK BA'I'ES, Acting-Gov'nor from Dec. 7, 1812, to July 1812 

WILLIAM CLARK. ... - from July 1813, to 1820 

Frederick Ba'i es, Secretary. 



Population of Louisiana in 1799, Under 
Spanish Census. 



St. Genevieve 

St. Louis - - - 

St. Charles - 


949 

- 925 

- 875 


Carondelet 
St. Ferdinand 
Marais des Liards 


- 184 
- 276 

- 376 


New Madrid 
New Bourbon 
Cape Girardeau 
St. Andrews - 


. 782 

560 

- 521 

: 393 


Meramec 

Little Meadows - 


115 

- 72 


6,028 



Consisting of Whites, 4,948, free colored, 197 ; slaves 883. 

Population of Uppkr Louisiana in 1804, 

At the Change of Government Uiulci United States. 

Whiles, - . . . . 9,020 

Black, - . - - 1,320 

In all ~ 10,340 



263 



PART IX. 



THE STATE OF MISSOURI. 



Statp: EiMBLEMS, Devices and Great Seal. 

The Constitution of Missouri, July 19th 1820, 
provides in section 22d, that " The Secretary of 
State shall, as soon as may be. procure a seal of 
State, with such emblems and devices, as shall 
be directed by law, which shall not be subject to 
change. It shall be called " The Great Seal of 
the State of Missouri." 

An Act of the Legislature of the State of 
Missouri was enacted in accordance to the Con- 
stitution, January nth 1822, as follows : 

" Be it enacted by the State of Missouri, that 
the device for an armorial achievement for the 
State of Missouri, shall be as follows, to-wit • 
Arms, parted per pale, on the dexter side gules, 
the white or grizzly bear of Missouri, passant 
gardant, proper, on a chief engraved azure, 
a crescent argent; on the sinister side argent, 
the arms of the United States, the whole within 
a band inscribed with the words, " United we 



- 264 - 

stand, divided we fall." For the crest over a 
lielmet full face, orated with six bars, or, a cloud 
proper, from which ascends a star argent, and 
above it a constellation of twenty-three smaller 
stars aroent on an azure field, surrounded by a 
cloud proper. Supporters on each side, a white 
or grizzly bear of Missouri, rampant, gardant 
proper, standing on a scroll, inscribed with the 




motto ' Sahis Pop^iii, Stiprema Lex Esto' and 
under the scroll the numerical letters mdcccxx. 
" And the great seal of the State shall be so 
engraved as to present by its impression, the 
device of the armorial achievement aforesaid, 
surrounded by a scroll inscribed with the words, 
' The Great Seal of the State of Missouri,' in 
roman capitals, which seal shall be in circular 
form and not more than two and a half inches in 
diameter." 



- 265 - 

From Well's " Every Mans Lawyer^' pub- 
lished in New York City in 1867, we quote in rela- 
tion to this matter : "On a circular shield equally 
divided by a perpendicular line, is a red field on 
the right side, in which is the white or grizzly 
bear of Missouri. Above, separated by a wavy 
or curved line, is a white or silver crescent, in an 
azure field. On the left, on a white field, are the 
arms of the United States. 

" A band surrounds the escutcheon, on which 
are the words ' United we stand, divided we 
fall.' For the crest, over a yellow or golden hel- 
met, full faced and grated with six bars, is a 
silver star, and above it a constellation of twenty- 
three smaller stars. The supporters are two 
grizzly bears, standing on a scroll inscribed 
' Salits popiili suprcDia lex esto' (The public 
safety is the supreme law). Underneath are 
the numerals mdcccxx, and around the circles 
the words ' The Great Seal of the State of 
Missouri.' " 



- 266 - 



THE FIVE WESTERN UNITED STATES 
SENATORS. 



The private and public life of our five United 
Senators may prove acceptable, as being now 
part of the history of the Great West : 



I. — Governor Henry Dodge. 

He was born at Vincennes, Indiana, on the 
1 2th day of April 1782, at the time the Dodge 
family was removing from Kentucky to the great 
West, Israel Dodge, his father, after a short 
stay at Vincennes removed to Kaskaskia, Illi- 
nois; then about the year i 790, he settled with 
his family permanently at St. Genevieve, in 
Upper Louisiana. 

Israel Dodge in the year 1805 became the first 
Sheriff of St. Genevieve District. The Dodge 
family in early times became the owners of the 
salt works on the Saline river ; they created quite 
a business in supplying this useful product to the 
early inhabitants of St. Genevieve. 

Governor Henry Dodge succeeded his father 
as Sherift' in this district and served in that capa- 
city some fifteen years ; afterwards served as 



- 267 - 

United States Marshal for the Territory and 
State of Missouri, During the war of 181 2 
with England, he raised at St. Genevieve a 
mounted rifle company, destined for the pro- 
tection of the inhabitants against Indian dep- 
redations. He was afterwards Major of the 
Territorial Militia, and served until 18 14. He 
further continued in the military service with 
rank of Colonel, commanding an expedition up 
the Missouri and Mississippi rivers against the 
Indians, capturing the Miami villages, near 
Boonslick. 

The Gazetteer of Missouri says of (leneral 
Dodge, " When his line of march was obstructed 
by the Missouri, on his route to the Miami vil- 
lage, he dashed into the river, followed by the 
rangers, sitting steadily and erect in their sad- 
dles, who swam their horses to the opposite 
shore. The transit of their ammunition had been 
secured in a canoe. By this accelerated move- 
ment the Miamis were surprised and captured in 
their villasfe. The Boonslickers, who formed a 
part of his command in this expedition, were 
with difticulty restrained by General Dodge from 
an indiscriminate massacre of the warriors, who 
so long and so bitterly annoyed these pioneers. 
They were the more excited, and therefore more 
excusable for their momentary ferocity, in the 
discovery which they made in the village of some 
of the spoils taken from their murdered com- 
rades." 



- 268 - 

He was afterwards appointed Brigadier-Gen- 
eral of the Volunteers by President Madison in 
the year 1814. Governor Dodge was a prom- 
inent member in the Convention of 1820, which 
formed the Constitution of Missouri. 

In the year 1822, after the organization of the 
State of Missouri, he became Brigadier-General 
of the Missouri militia. In the Black- Hawk war 
he served with bravery and distinguished him- 
self at the battles of Wisconsin and Bad-axe. In 
the year 1832, after the Black-Hawk war, he 
was commissioned Major of the United States 
Rangers ; and on the 4th of March 1835 was 
promoted Colonel of the First United States 
Dragoons, commanding an expedition from Fort 
Leavenworth to the Rocky Mountains, making 
important treaties with the Indians on the moun- 
tains and plains by the way of the Platte river, 
and returning by the Arkansas river. 

When the Territory of Wisconsin was organ- 
ized, President Jackson on the ist of July 1836, 
appointed General Dodge its Governor. He con- 
tinued in this capacity until 1841 ; his jurisdiction 
included all Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, which 
then formed a part of Wisconsin. Governor 
Dodge was elected delegate to Congress from 
Wisconsin, serving until 1845, when he was 
again appointed Governor of that Territory until 
1848. When Wisconsin became a State he was 
elected United States Senator, and served in that 
capacity until 1857. 



- 269 - 

Governor Henry Dodge was in figure tall, 
strong and muscular, of dignified deportment, 
being a bold and brave man. For half a century 
he served his country in various capacities, with 
distinction and usefulness. His life and charac- 
ter in the civil and military fields became a part 
of the history of the West. He died June 14th 
1868, respected by the people, and was buried 
west of the Mississippi river, at Burlington, 
Iowa. 



^70 



II. — Lewis F. Linn. 

The model Senator of Missouri, Dr. Lewis F. 
Linn was born in the vicinity of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, on the 5th of November, 1795. Colonel 
William Linn, his grand-father, served with dis- 
tinction under Colonel Roger Clark. ^ He left 
several children, among whom was Asael Linn, 
the father of the subject of this sketch. Asael 
Linn, in early life, with his brother William and 
two friends, Lewis Field and Wells, were cap- 
tured near Louisville by the Shawnee Indians, 
and held prisoners for three years, when they 
made their escape by killing their guard. They 
traveled a long way through the wilderness, 
swam the Ohio river, and returned to Louisville. 
Asael Linn married the widow of Israel Dodge, 
formerl)' of Pennsylvania, she being a woman of 
great character and romantic disposition. Gen- 
eral Henry Dodge, fornier sheriff of St. Gene- 
vieve, the half-brother of Dr. Linn, became, by 
reason of the death of Asael Linn, the guardian 
of Lewis F, Linn, and with great care super- 
vised his education. Dr. Linn received his med- 
ical education at Louisville, He soon developed 
great abilities in his profession, and his life was 
devoted to charitable actioiis. Dr. Linn settled 



permanently at St. Genevieve, then In the Ter- 
ritory of Missouri, in the year 1815. 

He married Miss EHzabeth K. Relfe in the 
year 181 8, a daughter of John Relfe, formerly of 
Virginia. She was a sister of Hon. James Relfe, 
a man of talent, former commissioner of United 
States land claims, United States Marshal in 
1836 of the district of Missouri, and afterwards 
member of Congress in 1843 from this State, 
being the father of the present Hon. Wm. S. 
Relfe, Commissioner of Insurance of Missouri. 
Lewis F. Linn was a model of manly beauty, the 
handsomest man of his day, possessed of great 
intellectual gifts, and in polite manners a Chester- 
field. His conversational powers were simply 
beautiful, when animated in conversation ; his 
eloquence was unsurpassed, and seemed infused 
into him. as if by the touch of an angel. Linn 
was a man of refined and generous impulses, he 
possessed in a high degree gallantry and patriot- 
ism. He rendered great services, not only to 
Missouri, but to the whole country. If his ashes 
are not gilt with the pomp of battle, still his pri- 
vate and public virtues are resplendent with 
lustre and beauty. 

Linn's first entrance in public life was his 
election to the State Senate of Missouri from 
St. Genevieve district in the year 1830. 

President Jackson in the year 1832 appointed 
hini one of the Commissioners of land claims, to 
settle the old Spanish and French grants. He 



- 272 - 

was appointed and afterwards elected United 
States Senator from Missouri, and served with 
distinction from 1833 to 1843. Senator Linn 
acquitted himself in that capacity, with honor, in 
the acquisition of the Platte country for Missouri. 
He strongly advocated the occupation and settle- 
ment of the Pacific coast, and particularly the 
occupation of Oregon, which caused afterwards 
an honorable treaty with Great Britain in regard 
to this Territory. He took an active part in the 
establishment of forts, post-roads and military 
roads upon our frontiers, and strongly advocated 
the improvement of our Western rivers. He 
was a staunch friend of the early pioneers, in 
securing their pre-emption claims and the con- 
firmation of land titles by Congress. 

During his service in Congress, there were 
men of great oratorical talents and genius. 
Senator Linn was highly esteemed by his com- 
peers for his talents and integrity. On one 
occasion, when he held in his hands a roll of bills 
to present, and had risen for that purpose, Mr. 
Buchanan rose, and remarked pleasantly, " Doc- 
tor, we will save you the trouble if you recom- 
mend them ; we will pass the whole bundle." 
The suggestion was, in the same spirit, seconded 
by Mr. Clay. On another occasion, whilst a 
debate ran hiorh, the Senators beinsf excited on 
some political question, Henry Clay made a 
statement which caused Senator l^inn to rise to 
correct him. Immediately Clay paused and 



- 273 - 

bowed, and waving" gracefully his hand, replied, 
" It is sufficient that it comes from the Senator 
from Missouri." 

Linn was held in great regard and respect by 
friends and political opponents. He was cau- 
tious, brilliant, profound, conciliatory, but uncom- 
promising in principles. He died suddenly at 
his homestead, in the town of St. Genevieve 
and was buried in the Protestant graveyard. 
Over his remains has been erected a monument 
by the State of Missouri with the following 
appropriate epitaph : 

" Here lie the remains of Lewis F. Linn, the 
model Senator of Missouri." 



2 74 



III. — Senator George W, Jones. 

The father of George W. Jones, known as 
Judge John Rice Jones, was born in Wales in 
1759, and was educated for the law. He emi- 
grated to the United States in 1788, and settled 
first in Philadelphia, afterwards removed to 
Vincennes in 1787, when the Northwestern Ter- 
ritory was organized. 

In 1790, he established himself at Kaskaskia, 
where he practiced his profession, then returned 
to Vincennes to act as one of the United States 
Judges for the Indian Territory. He was ap- 
pointed in 1807 to revise the Statute of that 
Territory. 

In 1810 he removed to the Missouri Territory; 
afterwards was elected a member of the Legisla- 
ture of Missouri from Washington County. He 
also served as a member of the Convention to 
form the Constitution of Missouri, in 1820. 
After this Constitution and State was adopted, 
he was appointed one of the Judges of the 
Supreme Court of Missouri, and whilst filling 
this office, he died in St. Louis in 1814. 

General Augustus Jones, — another son of 
Judge John Rice Jones, was a man of remarkable 
bravery and activity, who, after leaving Missouri, 
emigrated to, and died in, the State of Texas. 



- 275- 

The poet and writer, Ferguson, in speaking 
of Augustus Jones, related of him that when 
a school-boy he was a student at St. Genevieve. 
As he was sitting with his slate on his knee, a 
cavalr)- company passed, and when he heard the 
bugle sound, he broke his slate on his knee and 
getting a horse he rode up to the officer and said 
to him : " I want to go with you." The officer 
replied : " You are too young and too small for 
a soldier." 

Young Jones continued to follow the soldiers 
until they crossed the Missouri river at St. 
Charles. The Indians were very troublesome 
at St. Charles, and the officer had to take young 
Jones in to keep him from being scalped. 

When they arrived on the Upper Mississippi, 
it was important that they should communicate 
with General Atkinson, who was on the eastern 
shore of the Mississippi river. There was no 
boat to communicate with General Atkinson. 
Jones said to the officer : 

" I can take the dispatch over the river." 

" How will you take it ? " 

" I will put it in my cap, and swim my horse 
across the river." 

.His plan was carried out successfully. He 
got the answer of General Atkinson, and swim- 
ming his horse back across the river, delivered 
it, which was very important. 

Andrew Jackson heard of the swimming of 
the horse across the river, and remembered it 



- 276 - 

when he became President. He appointed 
Jones United States Marshal of Missouri. 

George W. Jones, the son of John Rice Jones, 
was born at Vincennes, Indiana, April 12th 
1804. He removed and settled at St. Gene- 
vieve, Missouri, about the year 1809. 

George W. Jones married at St. Genevieve a 
Miss Josephine Gregoire, a descendant of res- 
pectable French and German families, who had 
settled in Upper Louisiana in early times. 

Senator Jones, was educated for the profession 
of law, at the Transylvania University, Lexing- 
ton, Kentucky. Whilst there, he acted as First 
Sergeant to the body-guard of General Lafay- 
ette, in 1824. 

He was in 1826 appointed Clerk of the United 
States District Court of Missouri, presided by 
Judge L H. Peck. Afterwards he served as 
aid-de-camp to General Henry Dodge in the 
Black- Hawk war. 

He emigrated from St. Genevieve to Iowa, 
which was then a part of Michigan Territory, in 
the year 1827, and first settled at " Sinsinawa 
Mound," seven miles from Dubuque, and became 
at that early day its post-master, from 1833 to 

1835. 

From this humble position, he was elected a 

delegate to Congress from the Territory of 
Michigan, in the year 1835, for two years. By 
his close application to the interests of his con- 
stituents, he was re-elected by the people in 1837. 



2/7 

During thes;' four years he served as delegate in 
our National Congress, which was ornamented 
by men ot great eloquence, talents and genius. 

In 1838 there occurred a fatal duel between 
the celebrated Cilley and Graves, which created 
quite a feeling and excitement in the United 
States, when the brave Cilley fell in this fatal 
encounter. Delegate George W. Jones, acted at 
the time as the second and friend of Cilley. 

In the year 1840 President Van Buren, ap- 
pointed Delegate Jones, Surveyor-General of 
Wisconsin and Iowa. He was removed in 1841, 
for political reasons. 

In I 84 1, Jones became Clerk of the Supreme 
Court of the United States for Wisconsin Terri- 
tory until 1845. President Polk re-instated Jones 
as Surveyor-General in 1845, which office he 
held until 1848. 

The State of Iowa in 1848, being admitted into 
the Union, proceeded to elect two United States 
Senators, when George W. Jones was selected 
as one, and was re-elected afterwards, making 
two terms of service in the Senate. 

President Buchanan, ap[)ointed Senator Jones 
as minister to Bogota (United States of Colum- 
bia) in the year 1859. He served in that capacity 
until December 1861. 

During the late Civil war, he was arrested and 
imprisoned in F^ort Lafayette, by William H. 
Seward, but afterwards released by Secretary 
Stanton, February 2 2d, 1862. 



-278- 

Senator Jones is rather tall, and good-looking, 
with a fine black eye ; rather polished in his man- 
ners, active in walk and talk,- and has reached 
the ripe age of eighty-three years. January 7th, 
1879, he celebrated his golden wedding, which is 
seldom witnessed in life. 

The people of Dubuque and of Iowa, in con- 
sideration of his long public service and poverty, 
with a truly liberal spirit and devotion to his per- 
son, latterly with great generosity relieved him 
from his obligations, whilst securing to his family 
his homestead. May they receive the blessing of 
heaven, for this noble act. 



- 279 



IV. — Augustus C. Dodge, 

Was bor:i January 12th, 181 2, in the town of 
St. Genevieve, Missouri. In his boyhood he 
aided his father, Governor Henry Dodge in dif- 
ferent occupations. At the age of twenty-seven 
young Dodge settled in the Territory of Wis- 
consin. 

General Dodge, in March 1837, married Miss 
Clara Hertick. She was the daughter of Pro- 
fessor Joseph Hertick, who had established an 
academy, in about the year 181 5, in St. Gene- 
vieve county. Mr. Hertick was a native of 
Switzerland ; he was a ripe scholar, taught the 
P^nglish, French, and Germ.an languages. 

General Dodge after his marriaore settled in 
the State of Iowa, where in a short time he 
gained the confidence and esteem of the people 
by his integrity and generous impulses. He 
enlisted and served with credit to himself in the 
Black-Hawk and Winnebago wars of 1827 and 
1832, under his father. 

In June 1838, he was appointed, by President 
Van Buren, Register of the land office at Burling- 
ton, Iowa. In October of this year, when the 
first public sale took place, in this capacity he 
gave general satisfaction. 



- 28o - 

General Dodge served as delegate in Con- 
gress from 1 84 1 to 1847. The Legislature of 
Iowa elected him United States Senator from 
1848 to 1855. The two Dodges were warm 
advocates of the Homestead bill, graduation bills, 
and the establishment of military forts through- 
out the Great West, for the protection of emi- 
grants and pioneers, and strongly advocated the 
admission of California as a State, and the estab- 
lishment of the Territorial governments of New 
Mexico and Utah. 

At the same period, in the United States Sen- 
ate, could be witnessed the two Senators, father 
and son, representing two sister states, Wiscon- 
sin and Iowa, united by blood and advocating the 
sime principles. What a remarkable coinci- 
dence and beautiful spectacle presented to the 
statesmen of the world ? It forces us back to 
the pages of Grecian and Roman history for 
examples and illustrations of this character. 

Senator Dodge was afterwards appointed to 
the important position of Minister to Spain, and 
in that capacity served his country well, especi- 
ally in arranging the troubles arising out of the 
seizure by Spain of the steamer Black Warrior ; 
and the difficulties arising out of the comnun-ce 
with the Island of Cuba. 

Senator DoJge, after his long public career, 
devoted his time to his private affairs ; and served 
the p'-^ople of iJui'linglon, in the c:ij)acity of 
Mayor of t'uit growing and thriving city. 



I 



- 2«I - 

Senator Dodg-e was a well formc^d person, 
stood erect, bore the character of a courteous 
q-entleman, was remarkable for sobriety, and 
punctual in his relations with mankind. He 
died at BurlingLon, Iowa, November 20Lh 18S3, 
greatly lamented by his friends and the people of 
the West. 



282 



V. — Lkwis V. Bogy. 

Thk Bogy family is an ancient and honorable 
family, who settled in early times in the Great 
West. Ho'n. Joseph Bogy, Sr., the father of 
I^ewis V. Bogy, was born at Kaskaskia, Illinois. 
His first public occupation was as private secre- 
tary under Morales, Spanish Governor of Louis- 
iana ; he afterwards became a citizen of St. Gen- 
evieve, Missouri. He served in the House of 
Representatives of Missouri ; became also one 
ot its State Senators. He married a Miss 
Beauvais, who belonged of a very inHuential 
family of Upper Louisiana. He was a man of 
affable manners, a well educated person, and of 
great integrity of character. 

Lewis V. Bogy, his son. was born in the town 
of St. Genevieve, Missouri, April 9th 181 3. In 
his youth he acquired the rudiments of an edu- 
cation, until he had the mislortune at the age of 
fourteen years to be attacked by a " white swell- 
ing" on the right hip, and was confined for two 
years in his room ; but by the great care and 
.'^kill of Doctors Linn and Cluck, recovered his 
health. He then took the resolution to study 
law, and went to Kaskaskia, to engage in his 
studies under judge Nathaniel P()p('. 

Boyfv in his youth showed LJ'reat ambition to 



- 283 - 

enter public life, and determined to reach the 
high position of United States Senator, which he 
did as a member of the United States Senate 
from the great State of Missouri. 

In the year 1832, he served as volunteer in 
the Black- Hawk war. Shortly afterwards he 
attended the law-school at Lexington, Kentucky; 
then went to Wayne county in said State and 
became a school teacher. 

Whilst at Lexington as a student, Bogy at- 
tended a lecture delivered by a New England 
minister, who indulged in very strong language 
against the people of St. Louis, including Jews, 
the French and the Catholic Church. Bogy lis- 
tened with patience until he spoke of the w omen 
with unbecoming severity, when he jumped from 
his seat and in a loud voice said, " Now stop, 
sir, I pronounce what you say about St. Louis an 
absolute ialsehood." The preacher became con- 
fused which occasioned a smile from the audience. 

Bogy returned to St. Genevieve in 1835. He 
afterwards removed to St. Louis, to practice as a 
lawyer ; but soon his ambition led him to a politi- 
cal life, and he was elected from St. Louis 
County as a member of the Legislature, in the 
year 1840. Whilst residing in St. Louis, he 
went to the city of New York, where he mar- 
ried a dauo^hter of General Bernard Pratte, a 
woman of domestic habits and of great virtue. 

Bogy at this time was a Whig, and was a 
strong advocate of Mr. Clay's doctrines. In 



284 - 

1S49 H<^- removed to !:'t. Genevieve, his native 
town and took an active part in politics, becom- 
ing " Anti-Benton." In the year 1852 he be- 
came a candidate lor Congress against Benton, 
and met witli defeat. Becoming a candidate for 
the Legislature from St. Genevieve County in 
1854, against Hon. Sifroid Roussin, the son-in 
law of Hon. John Scott, a Whig, he was again 
defeated. 

Lewis V. Bogy again concluded to run for the 
Legislature as ar. Anti-Benton. His opponent 
as a Benton -man was Hon. Firmin A. Rozier. 
This canvass was one ot the bitterest and stirring 
ones of the State, which resulted in the election 
of Bog)'. 

He again removed to St. Louis, and became 
a democratic candidate for Congress in 1863 
against Frank Blair, and was defeated. Presi- 
dent Johnson in 1867 appointed him Commis- 
sioner of Indian affairs. He served in that capa- 
city six months. Not being confirmed by the 
Senate, he withdrew from office. 

The political affairs of the State of Missouri, 
about this time became turbulent and unsettled, 
ow'ing to the effects of the late war, also from the 
great interest felt in the election of a United 
States Senator. The result was that Hon. 
Lewis V. Bogy was elected from Missouri, from 
March 4, 1873 to 1879, in the capacity of Sena- 
t^ir. He seived with credit to himself and con- 
stituents. 



-285- 

Senator Booy was a tall and well-formed per 
son, rather mild in disposition, charitable in char- 
acter, possessing good conversational powers. 
As a speaker his delivery was graceful ; as a 
debater he was zealous and enthusiastic. Ori- 
einally he was a strong Whig- afterwards Anti- 
Benton, and latterly acted with the Democratic 
party and became a Democrat in feelings and 
principles. 

During the Civil war, he warmly sympathized 
with the South, in their constitutional rights, and 
strongly desired the restoration of the Union ; 
and a strict adherence to the original constitution. 

Senator Lewis V. Bogy died in the city ot 
St. Louis on the 20th of September 1877, regret- 
ted by a large number of friends and relatives, 
and by his compeers in the United States Senate. 



!86 - 



PART X. 



AUDUBON AND ROZIER. 



Audubon, the Ornithologist. — Rozier, the 
Western Merchant. 

The Audubon and Rozier families were ori 
ginally from Nantes, France. James Audubon, 
the father of John Audubon, was engaged in the 
marine of France during the French revolution 
and the Napoleon dynasty. Whilst in the West 
India Islands he purchased a plantation in St. 
Dominn^o. Afterwards he went with his family 
to Louisiana, where his son John, the ornitholo- 
gist, was born on the 4th day of May, 1780, 
after which the family left Louisiana and re- 
turned to France. John Audubon, while in 
France, was sent to school by his father and 
instructed in drawing, mathematics, geography, 
and painting by the famous James David of 
French notoriety. During the PVench revolu- 
tion, Audubon after leaving school entered the 
French navy as a midshipman, but was in the 
service only a short time. 



- 2^7 - 

Mr. Ferdinand Rozier was born at Nantes, 
France, on the 9th of November, 1777. His 
father, Judge Francis Rozier, was the Commer- 
cial fudge of Nantes for many years and enjoyed 
a good reputation for talent and legal acquire- 
ments. He was sent to college while quite 
young and acquired a good education. During 
tlie terrible struggle between Napoleon and 
Great Britain for the supremacy of the ocean, he 
at the age of twenty-five entered the French 
navy on the 28th of May, 1802, on the ship 
La Renommee, commanded by CL^pt. Frichaud, 
and bound for Bonne Esperance (Good Hope) 
and the Island of France. While at the Island 
of France the ship was captured and the crew 
disarmed, on the 3d day of March, 1803. Rozier 
on the 1 6th of June, 1803, was ordered on the 
brig Bon Victor, in command of Capt. Mayseau, 
who sailed for the port of Cadiz, Spain. From 
there he embarked on board the goelette La 
Sylvia, Captain Bonier commanding, who sailed 
to St. Croix (Isle Tenneriffe), where they arrived 
December 31, 1803, and leaving this port Janu- 
ary 26, they sailed for St. Bartholomew (Isle 
Suedoise), where they cast anchor March 26, 
1804. 

Rozier, on April 8, 1804, embarked on the 
cutter La Experiment, Captain Upton, bound for 
the United States, visiting several ports along 
the Atlantic from Philadelphia to Norfolk, V'ir- 
ginia ; and from the last port he embarked on the 



- 288 - 

frigate Le President, commanded by Captain 
Gallic Lebrose, who sailed for France, entering 
the port of Nantes March i, 1805. After en 
countering many dangers and adventures on the 
ocean, he retired from the navy and concluded 
with Audubon to emigrate to America. 

Audubon and Rozier left France April 12, 
1806, for the United States, arriving in New 
York City May 26 of that year. They crossed 
the ocean on an American ship named the 
Polly, bearing the United States flag, and com- 
manded by Captain Sammis. Whilst on her trip 
she was overhauled, searched and robbed by an 
English privateer bearing the name of Rattle- 
snake, the commander of which impressed two 
American sailors, notwithstanding the American 
captain's remonstrances. The Polly was detained 
one day and night. 

Audubon and Rozier removed to Pennsylvania 
on a tract of land called " Mill Grove," owned 
by their fathers, and located on the Perkoming 
creek, in Montgomery county. They remained 
there from May, 1806, to August 1807, superin- 
tending this property, which at the time was 
thought to contain valuable minerals. 

Audubon and Rozier left Philadelphia August 
31, 1807, on a commercial tour to the West. 
They traveled by tlu- way to Lancaster, Harris- 
burg, Chambersburg, Bedford, Pittsburg — where 
they stopped at the Jefferson hotel, conducted by 
Mr. Gillaud. They left Pittsburg on a low, tlat- 



- 289 - 

bottomed boat, floalinL;- down the Ohio river 
until they reached Maysville, Kentucky, on the 
30th of September, 1807, where they disem- 
barked. From there they visited Lexington, 
October 2, 1807, afterwards Frankford, Paris, 
Danville, Springfield, Bardstown and Louisville, 
sojourning in Kentucky part of 1807 to 1810. 
During the spring of 1808 Audubon returned to 
Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss 
Lucy Bakewell on the 8th day of April, 1808, 
and soon returned to Louisville with his bride. 
Rozier and Audubon, in the year 1810, at 
Louisville, purchased a keel-boat, with provisions, 
groceries, and 310 barrels of good Kentucky 
whiskey, destined for St. Genevieve, Upper 
Louisiana. 

The Keel-Boat. 

" Their boat was new, staunch and well trim- 
med, and had a cabin in her bow. A long steer- 
ing oar, made of the trunk of a slender tree, 
about sixty feet in length, and shaped at its outer 
extremity like the fin of a dolphin, helped to 
steer the boat, while the four oars from the 
bow impelled her along, when going with the 
current, about five miles an hour." 

After leaving the Falls of Louisville, they in the 
fall of 1810 floated down the Ohio river, stopping 
for a short time at Hendersonville, Kentucky 
and other landings, until they reached Cash 



- 290 - 

creek, a small stream with a good harbor, where 
they anchored for a few clays. During this time 
Audubon availed himself of penetrating the wild 
forest, and taking a great hunt with a few war- 
riors and squaws. We give in fu\ this interest- 
ing and graphic account of this great Swan and 
Bear hunt ; also of their difficult and perilous 
navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers 
to St. Genevieve, at this early period, being in 
the spring of 1811, previous to steam power being 
introduced in the navigation of our great West- 
ern rivers. 



- 291 



Audubon's Great Swan and Bear Story. 

" The second morning after our arrival at 
Cash creek, while I was straining my eyes to dis- 
cover whether it was dawn or rot, I heard a 
moveme.it in the Indian camp, and discovered 
that a canoe with half a dozen squaws and as 
many hunters were about leaving for Tennessee. 
I heard there was a large lake opposite to us 
where immense Hocks of swans resorted every 
morning, and asking permission to join them I 
seated myself on my haunches in the canoe, 
well provided with ammunition and a bottle of 
whiskey, and in a few minutes the paddles were 
at work, swiftly propelling us to the opposite 
shore. I was not much surprised to see the 
boat paddled by the squaws, but I was quite so 
to see the hunters stretch themselves out and 
go to sleep. 

" On landing, the squaws took charge of the 
canoe and went in search of nuts, while we 
gentlemen hunters made the best of our way 
through thick and thin to the lake. Its muddy 
shores were overgrown with a close growth of 
cotton trees, too large to be pushed aside and 
too thick to pass through except by squeezing 
yourself at every few steps ; and to add to the 
difficulty, every few rods we came to a small, 



- 292 - 

dirty lagoon, which one r.v: ;'. jump, leap or swim, 
and this not without peril of broken limbs or 
drowning-. But when the lake burst upon our 
view, there were the swans by hundreds, and 
white as rich cream, either dipping their black 
i.ills in the water, or stretching out one leg on its 
surface, or gently floating along. 

According to the Indian mode of hunting, we 
had divided, and a[)proached the lagoon from 
different sides. The moment our vidette was 
seen it seemed as if thousands of large, fat and 
heavy swans were startled, and as they made 
way from him they drew towards the ambush of 
death ; for the trees had hunters behind them, 
whose touch of the trigger would carry destruc- 
tion among them. As the first party fired, the 
game rose up and flew within easy distance of 
the party on the opposite side, when they again 
fired, and I saw the water covered \vith birds 
(loating with backs downward, their heads sunk 
in tlie water and their legs kicking in the air. 
When the sport was over we counted more than 
fifty of these beautiful birds, whose skins were 
intended for the ladies in Europe. There were 
plenty of geese and ducks, but no one conde- 
scended to give them a shot. 

" A conch was sounded and after awhile the 
squaws came, dragging the canoe and collecting 
the dead game, which was taken to the river's 
edge, fastened to the canoe and before dusk we 
were again landed at our camping-grounds. The 



-293 - 

fires were soon lighted and a soup of pecan nuts 
and bear fat made and eaten. The hunters 
stretched themselves with their feet close to the 
camp-fires, intended to burn all night. The 
squaws then began to skin the birds, and I 
retired, very well satisfied with my Christmas 
sport. 

" When I awoke in the morning and made my 
rounds through the camp, I found a squaw had 
been delivered of beautiful twins during the 
night, and I saw the same squaw at work tanning 
deer skins. She had cut two vines at the roots 
of opposite trees and made a cradle of bark, in 
which the new-born ones were wafted to and fro 
with a punch of her hands, while from time to 
time she gave them the breast, and was appar- 
endy as unconcerned as if the event had not 
taken place. 

"An Indian camp on a hunting expedition is 
by no means a place of idleness, and although 
the men do little more than hunt, they perform 
their task with an industry which borders on 
enthusiasm. I was invited by these hunters to 
a bear hunt. A tall, robust, well -shaped fellow 
assured me that we should have some sport that 
day, for he had discovered the haunts of one of 
large size, and he wanted to meet him face to 
face, and we four started to see how he would 
fulfil his boast. 

" About half a mile from the camp he said he 
perceived his tracks, though I could see nothing; 



- 294 - 

and we rambled through the cane until we came 
to an immense decayed log, in which he swore 
the bear was. I saw his eyes sparkle with joy, 
his rusty blanket was thrown off his shoulders, 
his brawny arms swelled with blood, as he drew 
his scalping-knife from his belt with a flourish 
which showed that fighting was his delight. He 
told me to mount a small sapling, because a bear 
cannot climb one, while it can go up a large tree 
with the nimbleness of a squirrel. The two 
other Indians seated themselves at the entrance, 
and the hero went in bodily. 

All was silent for a few moments, when he came 
out and said the heart was dead and I migh come 
down. The Indians cut a long vine, went into 
the hollow of the tree, fastened it to the animal, 
and with their united force dragged it cut. I 
really thought this was an exploit. Since then I 
have seen many Indian exploits which proved to 
me their heroism. In Europe or America the 
white hunter would have taken his game home 
and talked about it for weeks, but these simple 
per pie only took off the animal's skin, hung the 
flesh in quarters on the trees, and continued the 
hunt. Unable to follow them, I returned to the 
camp, accompanied by an Indian, who broke the 
twigs of the bushes as we passed, and sent back 
two squaws on the track who brought the flesh 
and skin to the camp." 



- 295 



Their Voyage up the Mississippi 



We give to our readers, Audubon's interest- 
ing narration of this voyage up the Mississippi 
to the town ot St. Genevieve : 

" After floating down the Ohio, we entered 
the Mississippi river running three miles an hour, 
and bringing shoals of ice to further impede 
our progress. The patron ordered the line 
ashore, and it became the duty of every man 
"to haul the cordelle," which was a rope fas- 
tened to the bow of the boat, and one man left 
on board to steer, the others laying the rope over 
their shoulders, slowly wafted the heavy boat and 
cargo against the current. We made seven miles 
that day up the famous river. At night wc 
camped on the shores. Here we made fires, 
cooked supper, and setting one sentinel, the rest 
went to bed and slept like men who had done 
one good day's work. 

" The next day we began to move the boat at 
about one mile an hour against the current. 
We had a sail on board, but the wind was ahead, 
and we made ten miles that day. We made our 
fires, and 1 lay down to sleep again in my buf- 
falo robes. Two more days of similar toil fol- 



- 296 - 

lowed, when the weather became severe, and our 
patron ordered us to go into winter quarters, in 
the great bend of the Tawapattee Bottom. 

" There was not a w^iite man's cabin within 
twenty miles, and that over a river we could not 
cross. We cut down trees and made a winter 
camp. But a new field was open to me, and I 
rambled through the deep forests, and soon 
became acquainted with the Indian trails and 
the lakes in the neighborhood. 

" The Indians have the instinct or sagacity to 
discover an encampment of white men almost as 
quickly as vultures sight the carcass of a dead 
animal ; and I was not long in meeting strolling- 
natives in the woods. They gradually accumu- 
lated, and before a week had passed, great num- 
bers of these unfortunate beings were around 
us, chiefly Osages and Shaunees. The former 
were well-formed, athletic and robust men of a 
noble aspect, and kept aloft from the others. 
They hunted nothing but large game, and the 
few elks and buffaloes that remained in the 
country. 

" The latter had been more in contact with the 
whites, were much inferior, and killed opossum 
and wild turkeys for a subsistence. The Osages 
being a new race to me, I went often to their 
camp, to study their character and habits ; but 
found much difficulty in becoming acquainted 
with them. They spoke 179 French, and only a 



- 297 - 

few words of English, and their general de- 
meanor proved them to be a nobler race. They 
were delighted to see me draw, and when I 
made a tolerable likeness of one of them with 
red chalk they cried out with astonishment, and 
laughed excessively. They stood the cold much 
better than the Shaunees, and were much more 
expert with bows and arrows. 

" The bones we threw around our camp at- 
tracted wolves, and afforded us much sport in 
hunting them. Here I passed six weeks pleas- 
antly, investigating the habits of wild deer, 
bears, cougars, raccoons and turkeys, and many 
other animals, and I drew more or less by the 
side of our great camp-fire every day, and no 
one can have an idea of what a good fire is, 
who has never seen a camp-fire in the woods of 
America. Imagine four or five ash trees, three 
feet in diameter and sixty feet long cut and piled 
up, with all their limbs and branches, ten feet 
high, and then a fire kindled on the top with 
brush and dry leaves ; and then under the smoke 
the party lies down and goes to sleep. 

" Here our bread gave out, and after using 
the breast of wild turkey for bread, and bear's 
grease for butter, and eating opossum and bear's 
meat until our stomachs revolted, it was decided 
that a Kentuckian named Pope, our clerk, and a 
ofood woodsman should q-q with me to the near- 
est settlement and try and bring some Indian 
meal. 



- 298 - 

" On the way we saw a herd of deer, and 
turned aside to shoot one ; and having done so, 
and marked the place, we continued our journey. 
We walked until dusk, and no river appeared. 
Just then I noticed an Indian trail, which we 
Supposed led to the river, and after following it a 
short distance, entered the camp we had left in 
the morning. My partner Rozier finding we had 
no loaves in our hands, and no bags of meal on 
our shoulders, said we were boobies, the boat- 
I man laughed, the Indians joined the chorus, and 

we ate some cold raccoon, and stumbled into our 
buffalo robes, and were soon enjoying our sleep. 

" The next day we tried it again, going di- 
rectly across the bend, suffering neither the flocks 
of turkeys, nor the droves of deer we saw, to 
turn us aside until we had Cape Girardeau in 
full sight, an hour before the setting of the sun. 
The ice was running swiftly in the river, and we 
hailed in vain, for no small boat dared put out. 
An old abandoned log house stood on our bank, 
and we took lodcrino-s there for the nicjht. We 
made a little fire, ate a little bear's dried meat 
we had brought, and slept comfortably. 

" Day-light returned fair and frosty, the trees 
covered with snow and icicles, shining like jewels 
as the sun rose on them, and the wild turkeys 
seemed so dazzled by their brilliancy, that they 
allowed us to pass under them withor.t flying. 

" After a time we saw a canoe picking its way 



I 



through the running ice. Through the messen- 



- 299- 

ger who came in the boat, we obtained a barrel 
of flour, several bags of Indian meal, and a few 
loaves of bread. Having rolled the flour In a 
safe place, slung the meal in a tree, and thrust 
our gun barrels through the loaves of bread, we 
started for our camp and reached it after mid- 
night. Four men were sent the next morning 
with axes, to make a sledge and drag the pro- 
visions over the snow to the camp. 

" The river, which had been constantly slowly 
rising, now began to fall, and prepared new 
troubles for us, for as the water fell, the Ice clung 
to the shore, and we were forced, to keep the 
boat afloat, to unload the cargo. This, with the 
help of all the Indian men and women, took two 
days. Then we cut large trees, and fastened 
them to the shore above the boat, so as to secure 
it from the ice, which was accumulating, and to 
save the boat from being cut by it. 

" We were now indeed In winter quarters. 
The Indians made baskets of cane. Mr. Pope 
played on the violin, and I on the flute, the men 
danced, and the squaws looked on and laughed, 
and the hunters smoked their pipes with such 
serenity as only Indians can, and I never regret- 
ted one day spent there. 

" While our time went pleasantly enough, a 
sudden and startling catastrophe threatened us 
without warning. The ice began to break, and 
our boat was In danger of being cut to pieces 
by the ice-floes, or swamped by their pressure. 



- 3C0 - 

Roused from cur sleep, we rushed down pell- 
mell to the bank, as if attacked by savages, and 
discovered the ice was breaking up rapidly. It 
split with reports like those of heavy artillery. 
Our boat was in imminent danger, for the trees 
which had been placed to guard it from the ice, 
were cut or broken to pieces, and were thrust 
against her. It was impossible to move her ; 
but our pilot ordered every man to bring down 
great bunches of cane, which were lashed along 
her sides; and before these were destroyed by 
the ice, she was afloat, and riding above it. 

" While we were gazing on this scene, a tre- 
mendous crash was heard, when suddenly the 
great dam of ice gave way, and in less than 
four hours, we witnessed the complete breaking 
up of the ice. The cargo was again put on board 
of the boat, and our camp given up to the 
Indians. After bidding mutual adieus, as when 
brothers part, fortunately we reached safely Cape 
Girardeau. But this village was small, and no 
market for us, and we determint^d to push up to 
St. Genevieve. 

" We arrived in a few days at the Grand 
Tower Missouri, where an immense rock in the 
stream makes navigation dangerous. Here we 
used our cordelles, and with great difficulty and 
peril passed it safely. It was near this famous 
tower of granite, that I first saw the great Eagle 
that I named General Washington. The weather 



- 301 - 

continued favorable, and we arrived at St. Gen- 
evieve, and found a favorable market." 

Their business at St. Genevieve prospered, 
but Audubon had no taste or talent for com- 
merce, nor did he give much time to busi- 
ness ; in fact, during his stay in Kentucky, and 
their trip down the Ohio and up the Mississippi, 
and whilst at St. Genevieve, he was continually 
in the forest, hunting and painting from nature 
the many birds and fowls. Rozier being entirely 
devoted to business, and perceiving that Audu- 
bon neglected the store, proposed to purchase his 
interest, which he did on the iith day of April, 
1811, which dissolved the partnership of Audu- 
bon and Rozier. 

Rozier was highly successful as a merchant 
and remained at St. Genevieve. Audubon re- 
turned to Kentucky, established a saw-mill at 
Hendersonville, making a total failure in this 
enterprise, which embittered him against his 
friends because they would not aid him in his 
wild speculation. Fortunately for himself and 
country it drove him to become an ornithologist, 
which afterwards gave him great honor and 
renown. 

Audubon was a well- formed person, had an 
intellectual face and a remarkably strong consti- 
tution ; was fond of dress, and wore his long 
locks in clusters over his shoulders. He poss 
essed many talents ; he was a good fencer and 



- 30:? - 

dancer, expert svvinimer, remarkable hunter, 
excellent musician and skilled in crayon sketches 
and portrait painting, and was unsurpassed as an 
ornithologist. His enthusiasm in his profession 
led him to explore the wilds of Kentucky, the 
savannas of the South, and the ic)- region of 
Labrador and the ranges and the defiles of the 
Rocky Mountains. 

When Rozier in 1842 returned from his last 
voyage to France, he was kindly invited by 
Audubon to visit him at his homestead on the 
Hudson. Their last meeting took place in New 
York City, at an entertainment given them by 
their mutual friend, M. Berthoud. At this gen- 
eral meeting the old friends and partners, the 
ornithologist and merchant, recalled with pleasure 
their past struggle and adventure in the far 
West. 

There is at St. Genevieve an excellent crayon 
portrait of General J. Baptiste Bossier, by Audu- 
bon, now in possession of his daughter, Mrs 
Simon Guignon. 

Mr. Griswold giv'es the following picture of 
Audubon's home in the year 1846 : " The house 
was simple and unpretending in its architecture 
and beautifully embowered amid elms and oaks. 
Several graceful fawns and a noble elk were 
stalking in the shade of the trees, apparently 
unconscious of the presence of a few dogs and 
not caring for the; numerous turkeys, geese and 
other domestic animals that gobbled and screamed 



around them. Nor did his own approach startle 
the wild, beautiful creatures, that seemed as 
docile as any of their companions. In the house, 
antlers of elks hung upon the wall ; stuffed birds 
of every description of gay plumage ornamented 
the mantle-piece, and the exquisite drawings of 
field mice, orioles and wood-peckers were scat- 
tered promiscuously in the house." 

He further describes Audubon as a tall, thin 
man, with a high arched and serene forehead, 
and a bright, penetrating, gray eye ; his white 
locks fell in clusters upon his shoulders, but 
were the only signs of age, for his form was 
erect and his step as light as that of a deer. 
The expression of his face was sharp, but noble 
and commanding-, and there was somethinor in it 
partly derived from the aquiline nose and partly 
from the shutting of the mouth which made you 
think of the imperial eagle. 

Mr. Rozier, Sr., married Constance Roy of 
Illinois, August 19th, 1813, at St. Genevieve, 
Missouri, whilst living at Mr. Jean Baptiste 
Valle, Sr,, who was the last commander of the 
post at St. Genevieve under the Spanish and 
French governments. Mrs. Rozier was born 
near Fort Chartres, Illinois, October 8th, 1795. 
Her life was spared long enough to witness the 
rapid growth of Upper Louisiana, now Missouri. 
She was a woman of strong intellect, and remark- 
able for industry and health. Mr. Rozier and 
wife had ten children, and one hundred and ten 



304 

grand and great grand-children, at the time of 
their death. They were both buried at the old 
Catholic grave-yartl at St. Genevieve. Mr. 
Rozier lived to the age of over eighty-six and 
his wife to eighty-three years. 

Mr. Rozier was a very active merchant, having 
extended his business throughout all of Upper 
Louisiana. The transport of goods at that early 
period from New Orleans to the East and West 
was quite difficult and dangerous, but this did 
not prevent him from obtaining large supplies of 
merchandise, and no less than six times on horse- 
back did he travel from St. Genevieve to Phila- 
delphia, and it was only by his prudence, bold- 
ness and great industry that his expeditions 
always proved successful. 

He was a man of strong constitution, his 
habits were regular, his disposition kind, polite 
and very obliging to every person, and no man 
enjoyed a greater reputation for truth, candor 
and honesty. And having witnessed in his youth 
the French revolution, it was painful to him 
again to witness the civil war in the United 
States, for he died in St. Genevieve, January i, 
1864, having attained, as mentioned above, the 
venerable age of over eighty-six years. 



Audubon's Miraculous Escape. 

When Audubon left St. Genevieve for Hen- 
dersonville, Kentucky, to return to his family, 
which then sojourned there, he met in this voy- 
age a remarkable adventure and made a miracu- 
lous escape, theaccount ot which we give in his 
own language : 

"On my return from the Upper Mississippi, I 
found myself obliged to cross one of the wild 
prairies, which in that portion of the United 
States, vary the appearance of the country. 
The weather was fine, all around me was as 
fresh and blooming as if it had just issued from 
the bosom of nature. My knapsack, my gun 
and my dog were all I had for baggage and 
company. But although well moccasined, I 
moved slowly along, attracted by the brilliancy 
of the flowers, and the gambols of the fawns 
around their dams, to all appearances as thought- 
less of danger as I felt myself. 

" My march was of long duration. I saw the 
sun sinking beneath the horizon long before I 
could perceive any appearance of woodlands, and 
nothing in the shape of man had I met with that 
day. The track which I followed was only an 
old Indian trail, and as darkness overshadowed 



- 3o6 - 

the prairie, I felt some desire to reach at least a 
copse, in which I might lie down to rest. The 
niofht-hawks were skimming- over and around me, 
attracted by the buzzing wings of the beetles, 
which form their food, and the distant howling 
of the wolves gave me some hope that I should 
soon arrive at the skirts of some woodland. 

" I did so, and almost at the same instant a 
fire-light attracting my eye, I moved towards it, 
full of confidence that it proceeded from the 
camp of some wandering Indians. I was mis- 
taken. I discovered by its glare that it was from 
the hearth of a small log cabin, and that a tall 
figure passed and repassed between it and me, 
as if busily engaged in household arrangements. 

" I reached the spot, and presenting myself at 
the door, asked the tall figure, which proved to 
be a woman, if I might take shelter under her 
roof for the night. Her voice was gruff, and 
her dress negligently thrown around her. She 
answered in the affirmative. I walked in, took a 
wooden stool, and quietly seated myself by the 
fire. The next object that attracted my notice, 
was a finely formed young Indian, resting his 
head between his hands, with his elbows on his 
knees. A long bow rested against the log wall 
near him, while a quantity of arrows and two or 
three raccoon skins lay at his feet. He moved 
not ; apparently he breathed not. 

" Accustom -id to the habits of Indians, and 
knowing that they pay little attention to the 



approach of civilized strangers, I addressed him 
in French, a language not unfrequently partially 
known to the people of that neighborhood. He 
raised his head, pointed to one of his eyes with 
his finger, and gave me a significant glance with 
the other; his face was covered with blood. 

" The fact was that an hour before this, as 
he was in the act of discharging an arrow at a 
raccoon in the top of a tree, the arrow had split 
upon the cord, and sprung back with such vio- 
lence into his right eye as to destroy it for ever. 

" Feeling hungry, I inquired what sort of a 
fare I might expect. Such a thing as a bed was 
not to be seen, but many large untanned buffalo 
hides lay piled in a corner. I drew a time-piece 
from my pocket, and told the woman that it was 
late, and that I was fatigued. She espied my 
watch, the richness of which seemed to operate 
on her feelings with electric quickness. She told 
me there was plenty of venison and jerked buffalo 
meat, and that on removing the ashes I should 
find a cake. But my watch had struck her fancy, 
and her curiosity had to be gratified by an imme- 
diate sight of it. I took off the gold chain which 
secured it around my neck, and presented it to 
her. She was all ecstacy, spoke of its beauty, 
asked me its value, and put the chain around her 
brawny neck, saying how happy the possession 
of such a w^atch would make her. Thoughtless, 
and, as I fancied myself in so retired a place, 
secure, I paid little attention to her talk or to 



- 3o8 - 

her movements. I helped my dog to a good 
supper of venison, and was not long in satisfying 
the demands of my own appetite. 

" The Indian rose from his seat as if in ex- 

(treme suffering. He passed and repassed me 
several times, and once punched me on the side 
so violently that the pain nearly brought forth an 
exclamation of anger. I looked at him, his eye 
met mine, but his look was so forbidding, that it 
struck a chill into the more nervous part of my 
I system. He again seated himself, drew his 

butcher knife from its greasy scabbard, examined 
its edge, as I would do that of a razor suspected 
dull, replaced it, and again taking his tomahawk 
from his back, filled the pipe of it with tobacco, 
and sent me expressive glances whenever our 
hostess chanced to have her back towards us. 

" Never until that moment had my senses 
been awakened to the danger which I now sus- 
pected to be about me. I returned glance for 
glance to my companion, and rested well assured 
that, whatever enemies I might have, he was not 
of their number. 

" I asked the woman for my watch, wound it 
up, and under the pretense of wishing to see 
how the weather might probably be on the mor- 
row, took up my gun, and walked out of the 
cabin. I slipped a ball into each barrel, scraped 
the edges of my Hints, renewed the primings, 
and running to the hut, gave a favorable account 
of my observations. I took a few bear skins, 



- 309 - 

made a pallet of them, and calling my faithful 
dog to my side, lay down, with my gun to my 
body, and in a few moments was to all appear- 
ance fast asleep. 

" A short time had elapsed, when some voices 
were heard, and from the corner of my eyes I 
saw two athletic youths making their entrance, 
bearing a dead stag on a pole. They disposed 
of their burden, and asking for whiskey, helped 
themselves freely to it. Observing me and the 
wounded Indian, they asked who I was, and why 
the devil that rascal (meaning the Indian, whom 
they knew understood not a word of English,) 
was in the house ? 

" The mother, for so she proved to be, bade 
them to speak less loudly, made mention of my 
watch, and took them to a corner, when a con- 
versation took place, the purpose of which it 
required little shrewdness in me to guess. I 
tapped my dog gently, he moved his tail, and 
with indescribable pleasure I saw his fine eyes 
alternately fixed on me and raised towards the 
two in the corner. I felt that he perceived dan 
ger in my situation. The Indian exchanged th(^ 
last glance with me. 

'' The lads had eaten and drunk themselves 
into such a condition, that I already looked upon 
them as hors_ de combat ; and the frequent visits 
of the whiskey bottle to the ugly mouth of their 
dame, I hoped would soon reduce her to a like 
state. 



- 3IO - 

" Judge of my astonishment when I saw that 
incarnate fiend take a large carving-knife, and 
go to the grind-stone to whet its edge. I 
saw her pour the water in the turning machine, 
and watched her working away with the danger- 
ous instrument, until the cold sweat covered 
every part of my body, in despite of my deter- 
mination to defend myself to the last. Her task 
finished, she walked to her reeling sons, and 
said, ' There ! that'll soon settle him. Boys, kill 
yon , and then for the watch !' 

" I turned, cocked my gun-locks silently, 
touched my faithful companion, and lay ready to 
start up and shoot the first who might attempt 
my life. The moment was fast approaching, and 
that night might have been my last in this world, 
had not Providence made provision for my 
rescue. 

" All was ready. The infernal hag was ad- 
vancing slowly, probably contemplating the best 
way of dispatching me whilst her sons should be 
engaged with the Indian. I was several times 
on the eve of rising, and shooting her on the 
spot, but she was not to be punished thus. The 
door was suddenly opened, and there entered 
two stout travelers, each with a long rifle on his 
shoulder. 

" I bounced up on my feet, and making them 
most heartily welcome, told them how well it was 
for me that they should have arrived at that 
moment. The tale was told in a minute. The 



- 311- 

drunken sons were secured, and the woman, in 
spite of her defense and vociferations, shared the 
same fate. 

" The Indian fairly danced with joy, and gave 
us to understand that, as he could not sleep for 
pain, he would watch over us. You may suppose 
we slept much less than we talked. The two 
strangers gave me an account of their once 
havingf been themselves in a similar situation. 

" Day came fair and rosy, and with it the pun- 
ishment of our captives. They were quite so- 
bered. Their feet were unbound, but their arms 
were still securely tied. We marched them into 
the woods off the road, and having used them as 
Regulators were wont to use such delinquents, 
we set fire to the cabin, gave all the skins and 
implements to the young Indian warrior, and 
proceeded, well pleased, towards the settle- 
ments." 



- 3^2 



PART XL 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES.— WESTERN 
MINERS IN EARLY TIMES. 



In the early settlement of the St. Genevieve 
District, in its mining localities, it was inhabited 
by pioneers, explorers and miners of a bold, 
brave, and adventurous character. Many were 
the encounters and feuds that occurred as to 
mininp- rights and land titles. From the times of 
Renault, Lamotte, Breton and Moses Austin, a 
spirit of venture and gambling took possession 
of the inhabitants, which aroused passions, 
and caused serious disturbances and bloodshed. 
These bold miners, and explorers, in early times 
often visited the attractive towns of St. Gene- 
vieve and St. Louis, to participate in sports of 
all kinds. In these two towns, was also the 
nucleus for the desperate keel-boat men and 
voyageurs. 

In the mining district, there resided, at Shi- 
lioleth, now Washington county, Missouri, a man 
professing great boldness and bravery, repre- 



- 313 - 

senting the chivalry of the times. That remark- 
able man, was John Smith T. as he was called, 
to distinguish him from the other Smiths of that 
day. 

Smith was a native of Georgia, but came to 
Missouri from Tennessee. He came to Upper 
Louisiana prior to 1800. Colonel Smith T. was 
tall, slight of build, wiry in person, mild and 
courteous in his manners, but terrible when his 
passions were aroused by some imagined in- 
sult. He had many personal encounters of the 
most serious and bloody character, and stood 
unrivaled for skill, undaunted courage and great 
coolness in those terrible conflicts with his ene- 
mies. He kept at his home an armory stocked 
with arms and weapons of every kind. He 
was a skilled mechanic, and owned two slaves 
who were g-ood ounsmiths. He manufactured 
the best and truest pistols and rifles in the West- 
ern country. Colonel Smith T. speculated in 
lands extensively, but his principal occupation 
was that of mining. 

When he traveled he was always well equip- 
ped and armed, followed by his friends rifle 
in hand. When Aaron Burr contemplated in- 
vading Mexico, in 1806, Smith and Governor 
Henry Dodge went to New Madrid to join the 
expedition, which was to descend the Mississippi 
river, under the impression it was a legitimaie 
war; but when at New Madrid they read Presi- 
dent Jefferson's proclamation condemning it, 



- 314- 

they returned to St. Genevieve and were both 
arrested, but were released from custody, owing 
to their mistake in the contemplated invasion of 
Mexico. 

The inhabitants of Upper Louisiana selected 
Smith to attend to their interests in Congress, 
and with that view he visited Washington City. 
Colonel Smith T. was of a roving disposition. 
He went to Chihuahua to aid to revolutionize 
Mexico, traversing a wild, vast country, sur- 
rounded by dangers. He thence returned to 
his home. 

Colonel Smith T., in the year 1806, was ap- 
pointed one of the Territorial Judges of the 
Court of General Quarter Sessions. This court 
was held in the town of St. Genevieve. He 
occupied this position for some time. 

He attempted in early times, with a company 
of men to take possession of the Dubuque and 
Galena lead mines, which at the time were 
reported to be of fabulous wealth ; but he was 
driven off by tribes of Indians then occupying 
these lead mines. 

In September, 1830, Smitli came to St. Gen- 
evieve and stopped at an inn kept by William 
McArthur. While indulging in liquor with one 
Samuel Ball, a difficulty sprang up between them 
which proved fatal to Ball. They were at the 
time the only persons in the bar-room. Mrs. 
McArthur, the hostess, a brave woman, hearing 
the report of the pistol, came in and saw Ball 



-315- 

lying dead on the floor. She reprimanded 
Smith, and demanded of him his pistols. He 
deHvered them and said, " Take them, my 
daughter." He was immediately arrested and 
confined in jail, had his trial at St. Genevieve 
before Circuit Court, and was acquitted, after 
an able defense by Hon. John Scott. A jury- 
man named Carron was asked how he could 
acquit Smith. He replied, " Did not Scott 
tell them that they must bring a verdict of not 
guilty ? " 

Colonel Smith T. had some difficulty with the 
Perry family, then living at Mine-a-Breton, 
about some mining claims. One day, while 
John Perry was on his way toward St. Gene- 
vieve, he was overtaken by Smith, who remarked 
to him that he regretted any difficulty with him, 
and that they were now alone and could settle 
the matter, remarking that he had a couple of 
friends (meaning his pistols). "There, take your 
choice." Mr. Perry politely thanked him, and 
declined the offer, as he had business of import- 
ance at St. Genevieve which could not be trans- 
acted by any other person. Smith remarked 
that he regretted that it could not be settled in 
this rational way, after which they proceeded to 
St. Genevieve together, conversing on different 
subjects without reference to their difficulties. 



3i6 - 



Smith T. in a Duel. 

A duel took place between Colonel Smith and 
Lionel Browne, nephew of Aaron Burr, then 
living at Potosi, opposite Herculaneum, in Illi- 
nois, Colonel Augustus Jones acted as second 
tor Browne, and Colonel McClenehan for Smith. 
Browne was the one who challengfed Smith. 
Lionel Browne was shot in the centre of the 
forehead, and was instantly killed. 

Colonel Smith participated in several despe- 
rate encounters which it would be too prolix to 
relate here, and was always fortunate in these 
terrible struggles. 

He left Missouri owing to his numerous diffi- 
culties, accompanied by a faithful slave. He 
subsequently died on the banks of the Missis- 
sippi, in the State of Tennessee. Colonel Smith 
T. left numerous descendants, many of them 
now prominent citizens of the State. 

Notwithstanding his turbulent character, he 
was very hospitable at home, and charitable to 
the poor. His body was removed to Shiloleth, 
Washington county, Missouri, and afterwards 
reburied in the city of St. Louis. 

Judge H. M. Brackenridge, formerly of Penn- 
sylvania, a traveler, author and jurist, gives this 
graphic description of Smith : 



- 3 1 7 - 

" One of the diggers at the mines, a man of 
ferocious character and herculean frame, resolved 
to assassinate the Colonel, and thus get rid of the 
floating grant and great monopolist. Taking 
his rifle, for he was a great shot, he went to the 
house of Colonel Smith and challenged him to a 
trial of skill at a mark — the head of a nail — the 
best in three, distance of sixty yards. The chal- 
lenge was accepted, and they proceeded somt^ 
distance from the house, when the rufiian seized 
the first opportunity to turn the muzzle of his 
rifle on his unsuspecting companion, but in his 
liaste, the ball passed through the Colonel's left 
shoulder without inflicting a mortal wound. He 
fell. The assailant rushed upon him, and fell with 
him to the ground; while the Colonel, whose 
presence of mind never forsook him, drew his 
dirk, but missing his aim, drove it into his own 
thigh. He drew it out, struck the assassin on 
the ribs ; the weapon bent, and as a last desper 
ate effort, he drew it across the stomach of the 
ruffian, inflicting a mortal wound. 

The assassin, who had been endeavoring to 
seize the Colonel by the throat, now released his 
hold, and they both lay for some time, bathed in 
blood. The slaves coming up, carried them both 
into the house. And here it may be mentioned, 
as a proof of the magnanimity of the Colonel, that 
by his orders every attention was paid to his 
treacherous enemy, until he died of his wounds. 



3i8 



THE YEAR 1811. 



The year 181 1 was truly a memorable one 
for the inhabitants of Upper Louisiana, and the 
many and varied experiences they encountered 
during that twelve-month, were for a long time 
a fruitful source of recollections. The following 
sketches present some of the most interesting : 

The Flood of the Mississippi. 

Durinpf the summer of 181 1, the waters of 
the Mississippi river rose to an unprecedented 
height, overflowing all low lying lands, and 
occasioned great distress to the inhabitants of 
St. Genevieve, Kaskaskia, and the settlements 
in the "bottoms." Nearly all, if not all, the 
lands in cultivation at that time, were in the rich, 
alluvial bottoms of the Mississippi river, upon 
which was placed the only dependence of the 
settlers for such crops as were necessary for the 
actual subsistence of the inhabitants of this part 
of the country. All these were totally destroyed, 
and the long continuance of the overflow making 
it impossible to sow even late crops, food for 
man and beast became exceedingly difficult to 



- 319 - 

obtain, and much suffering and deprivation en- 
sued. Indeed this overflow was only exceeded 
by the great dehige of 1 844, in point of disaster 
and damage to the fields and plantations of 
sparse settlements. 



The Comet of 181 i. 



The Comet of this year was one of exceeding 
brilliance and longr duration. It was one of the 
remarkable comets of the world, and filled the 
simple people of this region with wonder and 
awe. It was very large and bright, and poss- 
essed a tail of wonderful length and brilliancy. 

An old tradition, prevalent in this colony, 
predicted astonishing and miraculous heavenly 
appearances about this time, which this comet 
seemed to fulfill, hence there was no little alarm 
felt for the future of the country visited by this 
blazing precursor of fate. Notwithstanding that 
Aristotle many ages ago taught that comets 
were mere meteors or exhalations raised in the 
upper regions of the air, where they blaze for a 
while and disappear when the meteors they form 
have been consumed, the people generally looked 
upon them as signs indicating famine, inunda- 
tion, war and pestilence. In this belief, the 
superstitious of Upper Louisiana, — men, women, 
children, negroes and savages — looked upon 



. - 320- 

the phenomenon as presaging some dreadful 
occurrence. 

Earthquakes of i8ii. 

Immediately following- the Great Comet, on 
December of that year 1811, shocks of earth- 
quakes, which had created such remarkable con 
vulsions of nature, at New Madrid and it neigh- 
borhood, were sensibly felt at St. Genevieve, 
though no material damage was done by them. 
Coming, as these throes of nature did, just after 
the comet, with full information of the devasta- 
tion and horrible contortions of the earth below 
here, at New Madrid, they fairly set the peo- 
ple of this part of the country wild with alarm, 
and prepared them to look for all the evil conse- 
quences ascribed to the baneful influence of the 
erratic celestial luminary in rapid and fatal suc- 
cession. But as nothing further happened, they 
settled down to a human indifference of the 
possibilities of fate, and soon became again the 
frugal, simple, light-hearted people nature had 
made them. 

A Famous Duel. 

One of the most melancholy and unlortunate 
tragedies of the year 1811, was the duel between 
Thomas M. Crittenden and Doctor Walter Fen- 
wick, both residents of St. Genevieve. Critten- 



- 321 - 

den was a lawyer and a brother of Senator 
Crittenden, of Kentucky, Doctor Fen wick was 
an eminent physician, an estimable and polished 
gentleman. Both were popular and were re- 
garded by the community as brave and gallant 
men. The cause which led to the fatal encoun- 
ter was one with which Doctor Fenwick had 
originally nothing to do, he only being drawn 
into the quarrel by a chivalric devotion to, and 
regard for, his brother, Ezekiel Fenwick. A 
difficulty, the exact nature of which is not 
known, resulted in a challenge from Ezekiel 
Fenwick to Thomas H. Crittenden, which was 
borne to the latter by Doctor Fenwick, as the 
friertd of his brother. For some reason Mr. 
Crittenden refused to meet Ezekiel Fenwick, 
whereupon the Doctor deeming the refusal a 
personal affront, offered himself in his brother's 
stead, and was accepted. The parties met Octo- 
ber ist, 1811, on Moreau's island, a few miles 
below St. Genevieve, and opposite Kaskaskia 
landing ; General Henry Dodge and Hon. John 
Scott were the seconds of the parties. At the 
first fire Doctor Fenwick fell mortally wounded, 
and expired a short time afterwards. Mr. Crit- 
tenden was unhurt. 

Doctor Fenwick is buried in the Catholic 
graveyard, in the heart of St. Genevieve. No 
monument but a plain freestone slab marks 
his last resting place, and the only epitaph upon 
one of the most accomplished men of his day. 



- 322 - 

consists of the simple inscription — "Doctor 
Walter Fenwick, born 1775, died October 2d, 
1811." 

The pistols used on this memorable occasion 
are now in possession of Mrs. Augustine Menard 
the relict of the late Cyprien Menard. The 
barrels are twelve inches long, are of a very 
large bore, and were made by a negro man, a 
very expert workman, a slave of the notorious 
John Smith T. 

Fort Chartres in June, 181 i. 

During this month and year, a party from 
St. Genevieve, consisting of Governor Henry 
Dodge and family. Judge Otto Shrader and 
lady, Captain Melane and wife, Lewis F. Linn, 
(afterwards United States Senator from Mis- 
souri), with several young men, visited Fort 
Chartres, Illinois, for the purpose of securing a 
piece of ordnance from this old Fort, with which 
to celebrate the approaching Fourth of July of 
181 1. The party, early one morning, embarked 
on a keel-boat, manned by several negro men. 
Poles and sweeps (long oars) were used to pro- 
pel the boat. Owing to the velocity and force of 
the current, the boat's progress was necessarily 
slow and laborious, but the Fort was finally 
reached, and on disembarking, all the party 
partook of a sumptuous lunch. 



- 323 - 

The cannon was soon selected from the 
crumbHng debris of the Fort, but the task of 
transporting it to the boat was no Hght one, 
owing to the want of levers and hoisting appli- 
ances. It was of iron, nine feet in length, and 
very heavy ; but perseverance and hard work 
finally accomplished its transfer to the keel-boat, 
after which the party cast loose late in the 
evening, and floated back to St. Genevieve, 
without accident or adventure. The sky was 
cloudless, the full moon shone brightly over the 
turbid waters of the Mississippi, and the whole 
party were full of life and spirits over their prize, 
and the anticipated part it was to play on the 
great National day. 

The boat was met by the people of St. 
Genevieve, who were delighted at securing the 
cannon, assisting to unload, mount, and prepare 
it for the coming event, which was in due time 
celebrated with great pomp and zeal, the old 
cannon adding the thunders of its throat to the 
eloquence of the orators and applause of the 
spectators. 

Subsequently in the year 1840, another Fourth 
of July was celebrated, and the old Fort 
Chartres' cannon again called upon to lend its 
aid in the glorious cause. It was fired several 
times, until at last it bursted, and injured several 
persons, among whom were the late Judge Jesse 



- 324 - 

B. Robbins. His injuries were very serious, 
and gave him much trouble the remainder of his 
life. 

Band of Osage Indians. 



During Christmas week of the year 1811, a 
good deal of apprehension was created by the 
appearance of a band of Osage savages, in 
the neighborhood. For they were known as a 
cruel and barbarous tribe. The parish priest, 
having occasion to make a trip in the interior of 
the country, encountered them engaged in orgies 
of a peculiarly significant character. They were 
apparently under the influence of intoxicants, 
decked in their war paint, and the woods 
resounded with hideous yells and war whoops. 
Intelligence was quickly spread, that an attack 
on the village was intended, and preparations 
were made to resist it. The women, children, 
and the old were hurried to places of security. 
The able-bodied portion of the inhabitants flew 
to arms, and distributed themselves at the most 
available places of defense. A party ot scouts 
sent out to reconnoitre and watch the Osages, 
soon returned, after having penetrated the en- 
campment and mingled with the Indians, and 
reported that they meant no harm to the whites. 
They were simply a hunting expedition, which 
were finishing up with a debauch, and dancing 



- 325 - 

the war dance for their own amusement. This 
intelligence restored quiet, and brought order out 
of chaos. 

It is not surprising that any unusual occur- 
rence created alarm in this memorable year, for 
the " Great Flood ," the " Comet," the " Earth- 
quake," the " Duel," the sudden appearance of 
this band of Osages, crowding fast upon one 
another, were scenes and sights calculated to 
unsettle the firmest nerves and bravest hearts. 



326 



THE CHALYBEATE SPRINGS. 



The Chalybeate Springs, so celebrated several 
years ago, were situated near the town of St. 
Genevieve, on the river Aux Vases. They were 
owned by Judge William James, one of the early 
pioneers, being a tall and robust Kentuckian. 

During their celebrity, these Springs were 
known far and wide, and were resorted to by 
seekers after health, as are the Hot and Eureka 
Springs of to-day. Judge James had erected 
many buildings and conveniences around the 
Springs for all necessary purposes, among which 
was a large arbor of brush and felled saplings for 
dancing and amusements. He was assiduous in 
his attention to his guests, and a firm believer in 
the efficacy of the waters of his Springs. His 
constant advice was : "Eat sparingly, but drink 
copiously of the magic waters ;" which, but for his 
well known hospitality, might imply that he 
meant to care for his larder, at the expense of 
the water. 

During the summer of i8i i, some sixty per- 
sons visited these Springs, among whom were 
Judge Otto Shrader and f^imily, of St. Gene- 
vieve ; Judge Nathaniel Pope, Governor Ed- 
wards, of Illinois ; Mr. Robert Morrison and lady, 



- 327 - 

of Kaskaskia, and other distinguished person- 
ages. 

Judge Shrader and Governor Edwards had 
great faith in the waters, and made a wager, as 
to who could consume the greater quantity in 
a given time. Governor Edwards was a very 
large man, weighing some three hundred pounds, 
while Judge Shrader weighed at least one 
hundred pounds less. They repaired to the 
Springs, tin cup in hand, and began their bout. 
In their anxiety to excel each other, they drank 
too much of the water, and both became very 
sick. A witness remarked that " they spouted 
like whales." After this occurrence the Springs 
lost their popularity. 



Judge Shrader, 



Judge Shrader was a German, and had been a 
soldier under Archduke Charles. He settled in 
St. Genevieve in 1809. He was a gentleman of 
great intellect, and possessed of an excellent 
education. He was highly respected as an up- 
right and conscientious lawyer, and held the 
position of one of the Supreme Court Judges 
under the Territorial Government. He died in 
St. Louis in 181 1, while in attendance upon a 
Council of the Governor and Territorial^'lJudges. 



328 



Judge Nathaniel Pope. 

Judge Nathaniel Pope came to St. Genevieve 
in 1805 to engage in the practice of the law; 
removed to Kaskaskia in 1808, but continued to 
practice in the Courts at St. Genevieve until 
18 1 2. He was one of the incorporators of the 
St. Genevieve Academy, which began its exist- 
ence in 1808. Judge Pope, was a man of most 
excellent judgment, a high order of ability, and 
spotless integrity. He lived in Kaskaskia until 
1844, when the great flood of that year inundated 
all the low lands bordering on th'e Mississippi 
river, and caused him to leave Kaskaskia. 

Judge Pope was made Secretary, on the 
organization of the Territory of Illinois in 1809 I 
was subsequently a delegate to Congress from 
that Territory ; became afterward United States 
District Judge, in which capacity he served for 
thirty years, giving general satisfaction in his 
rulings and decisions. 



329 - 



INDEX. 



PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 

Biography of Hon. Firmin A. Rozier 5 

PART I. 

The French Dominion in North America — 
How Acquired and Lost. 

French Missionaries in the Seventeenth Century .. il 

Sisters of Cliarity 12 

Festival of tlie Dead among the Primitive Indians 12 

Memorable Convention between France and the Five Nations 14 

Marquette and Joliet 17 

LaSalle and Hennepin lo 

Discovery of Louisiana 24 

The Missouri River first opened for Traffic 28 

The Celebrated Spanish Caravan 28 

The First Mining Ventures 29 

St. Genevieve an Early Mining Center 30 

The French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763, known as the 

Seven Years War 31 

History of Fort Chartres. Fort Gage, and Kaskaskia 36 

The Town of Kaskaskia 43 

Prairie du Rocher Cahokia 43 



- 330 - 

PART II. 

Explorations. 

Exploration of the Missouri by the French in 1705 46 

The Santa Fe Caravan of 1720 47 

Explorations of the Interior of Missouri by M. de Dutisne— 1719.. 48 

Fort Orleans, on^^an Island on the Missouri River 49 

PART III. 

Territory of Louisiana. 

New Organization of Louisiana Territory Under Crozat, 1712 52 

CESSION BY FRANCE TO SPAIN. 
Cession by France of the Louisiana Territory to Spain in 1762. — 

The Parisian and Spanish Code in said Territory 55 

V 

PART IV. 

Navigation in the West. 

The Naval Armament of the Spaniards on the Mississippi in early 

times.— The Western Boatman 58 

B eusoleil Island 60 

L'Ann6e des Bateaux 62 

Spanish Naval Armament 63 

The Western Boatmen 63 

Mike Fink, the Notorious Boatman 64 

Introduction of Steam Power 67 

Steamboats in 1817 68 

Missouri River Navigation .... 68 

Status of the Navigation of Western Rivers by Steam Power in 1874. 69 



- 331 - 

PART V. 

American Conquests. 

The Capture of Kaskaskia, of Cahokia, and of Vincennes, by Col. ^,, 

Rogers Clark - ' 7^ 

Clark's Defense of St. Louis, 1778-80 75 , 

History of Fort Jefferson ••••• 79 

PART VI. ,K 

The Five Districts. 

I. THE district OF ST. GENEVIEVE. 

The Iron Mountain • 9* 

Comparative Table of Mineral production 95 

The Old Town of St. Genevieve 9^ 

The Indians around St. Genevieve >oo 

The Sister of Tecumseh 

A Letter from the Governor to the Chawanons 102 

Reminiscences of Upper Louisiana 105 

The First Contract »°6 

Important Order of Governor Delassus 108 

The Military Organization "O 

La Nouvelle Bourbon ^'5 

The First Church "^ 

The First Religious Records ''° 

Romantic Marriage during the Regime of Spain "9 

Ancient French Customs '2° 

La.Guignol^e '^* 

The Common Fields. Ancient Plows and Charettes 122 

French Dominion and Jurisdiction — 123 

Territorial Inhabitants from 1804 to 1820 124 



- 332 - 

St. Genevieve Academy in 1808 125 

The Territorial Courts of St. Genevieve 127 

Fatal Encounter of Captain De Mun 128 

Missouri Territorial Assembly 129 

The Constitutional Convention of 1820 130 

Population and Commerce of St Genevieve 130 

Steamboat Catastrophe 131 

Old St. Genevieve, St. Charles, and Kaskaskia I84 

Clerks of the St. Genevieve Court 138 

Sheriffs at St. Genevieve, from 1820 to 1870 128 

Grand Celebration of the Anniversary of St. Genevieve, July 21, 1885, 

at the City of St. Genevieve 139 

2.— THE ST. LOUIS DISTRICT. 

Eaily History ot St. Louis 142 

Early Churches in St. Louis 147 

St. Louis Invaded by the English and Indians, May 26, 1780 149 

Boat and Cargo Captured by the EngUsh and Indians 150 

British and Indians AUied in War 151 

L'Ann^e du Coup (The Year of the Blow) 152 

John P. Trudeau's "Chanson"' 154 

Declaration of War in 1793, against the Osages, by Zenon Trudeau, 

Lieutenant-Governor 156 

Characteristic Anecdotes on the Old iSt. Louis Inhabitants 157 

Anecdotes of Carondelet 158 

St. Louis, from its Foundation in 1764 to 1820 158 

Bloody Island and its Sanguinary Record 160 

Remarkable Duels. Benton and Lucas 161 

The fatal Duel between Major Thomas Biddle, of the United 
States Army, and Hon. Spencer Pettis, Member of Congress, 

August 25, 1831 162 

The Marquis de LaFayette 163 

Great Fire and Cholera in St. Louis 165 

The Great Flood of 1844 166 

The Great Bridge, 1874 167 

Pierre Liguest Laclede 169 



- 333- 

The Magistrates of St. Louis up to 1874. 

Chairmen of the Trustees. Mayors 166 

3.— THE DISTRICT OF CAPE GIRARDEAU. 

Original Boundaries 170 

Commandant Lorimier 172 

Civil and MiHtary Jurisdiction 175 

Berthelmy Cousin, the Linguist and Scientific man of the West 176 

Population 177 

City of Cape Girardeau 178 

4-THE ST. CHARLES DISTRICT. 

St. Charles District under the Spaniards in 1767 176 

Wonderful Picture on the high bluffs of Illinois, from 1673 to 1866 .. 180 

Les Mamelles 182 

The Cedar Pyramid 183 

Cote Sans Dessein 185 

Daniel Boone 186 

5— THE NEW MADRID DISTRICT. 

Boundaries •189" 

New Madrid under the Spaniards in 1769 193 

Spanish Commandants 194 

Village of Little Prairie 197 

New Madrid under the United States Government 198 

The New Madrid Earthquakes of iSll 199 

Hon. Lewis F. Linn's Account 200 

Henry Howe's Account 203 

Godfrey Lesieur's Account , 204 

Audubon's Account 208 

Submerged Lands of Missouri 210 

Report on the Submerged Lands of the State of Missouri, presented 
by Gen. Rozier at the Grand Convention held at Memphis in 

1845 

The Town of New Madrid in 1850 218 

New Town of Madrid 218 



- 334 - 

PART VII. 

Louisiana Territory. 

Transfer to Spain 220 

Retrocession to France 221 

Purchase by the United States 223 

Lieutenant-Governor Amos Stoddard Commandant of Upper 

Louisiana 225 

Lewis & Clark's Grand Exploration to the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 1806. 227 
William Harrison, Governor of Upper Louisiana, from October 1804 

to March 1803 — The act of Congress of March 26, 1804 231 

Act of Congress of March 3, 1805, Creating the Territory of Louisiana 232 
First Grand Exploration of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, up 

to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1805 235 

The Important and Perilous Exploration to the Arkansas, Kansas and 

Platte Rivers and into the Provinces of New Spain in 1806 239 

Territory of Louisiana 244 

PART VIII. 

Missouri Territory — 1812. 

Named by Act of Congress 245 

First Council 245 

TERRITORIAL DELEGATES OF MISSOURI TERRITORY. 

Hon. Edward Hempstead, First Delegate to Congress from Missouri 

Territory 249 

Hon. Rufus Easton, Second Delegate to Congress from Missouri 

Territory 251 

John Scott, Third^Delegate to Congress from Missouri Territory 253 

State Organization 259 



OJ. 



CONSTITUTION 'OF^MISSOURI AND STATE 'GOVERNMENT 

IN 1820. 

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention 260 

Historical Tables — Governors of the Province of Louisiana at New 
Orleans, under the Spaniards — Commanders of Upper 
Louisiana at St. Louis, under the French — Spanish Comman- 
dants in Upper Louisiana 261 

Commandants of Upper Louisiana under the United States 262 

Governors of Missouri Territory 26^ 

Population of Upper Louisiana in 1804 262-f. 



PART IX. 

The State of Missouri. 

State Emblems, Devices and Great Seal 263 

The Five United States Senators — 

1. Governor Henry Dodge 266 

2. Lewis F. Linn 270 

3. Senator George W. Jones 274 

4. Augustus C. Dodge 279 

5. Lewis V. Bogy 282 



PART X. 

Audubon and Rozier. 

audubon the ornithologist, and rozier the 
western merchant. 

Their Travels 286 

Their Keel-Boat 289 

Audubon's Great Swan and Bear Story 291 

_V Their Voyage up the Mississippi 295 

\ Audubon's Miraculous Escape 305 



- 336 - 

PART XI. 

Historical Sketches. 

Western Miners in Early Times 312 

The Famous John Smith «' T " 313 

Smith "T" in a Duel 316 

THE YEAR iSii. 

The Flood of the Mississippi 318 

The Great Comet of 1811 319 

The Earthquakes of 1811 320 

A Famous Duel in 1811 320 

Fort Chartres in June, 1811 322 

Band of Osage Indians 324 

THE CHALYBEATE SPRINGS. 

Judge Shrader 327 

Judge Nathaniel Pope 328 



ERRATA. 



Page 185. " Mississippi river " should be " Missouri river." 

Page 214. " Owes " should read " West." 

Page 246. Add : '" Members of House, John Shrader, Samuel Phillips." 

Page 262. Read, "From Dec. 1812 to July 1813. 

Page 274. John Rice Jones' death should be 1824. 

Page 294. "Beart" should read " Bear." 



337 - 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PORTRAIT OF HON. FIRMIN A ROZIER 2 

INDIANS WATCHING THE APPROACH OF CARTIER'S 

FLEET 12 

MARQUETTE INSTRUCTING THE INDIANS 20 

EARLY PIONEER LIFE IN MISSOURI 44 

THE HEADQUARTERS OF COMMANDANT VALLE AT 

ST. GENEVIEVE 84 

THE IRON MOUNTAIN 92 

THE SISTER OF TECUMSEH 100 

PILOT KNOB IN 1850 132 

THE LANDING OF LACLEDE AT ST. LOUIS 140 

THE PIASA MONSTER 164 

THE CEDAR PYRAMID 172 

DANIEL BOONE 196 

DANIEL BOONE'S CABIN 204 

LEAD FURNACE 316 



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